Annes Grove Gardens Are Now Open

Annes Grove Gardens Are Now Open

Since 2015, the Office of Public Works has carried out extensive works to the house, outbuildings and gardens and re-opened the site to the public in June 2022. There is still much work to be done but, even so, there is quite a lot to enjoy in your walks.
And more facilities will open up in the months and years ahead.

 

Close to Castletownroche (and Doneraile), Anne’s Grove is an historic estate, the home of the Annesley family from the 1600s until 2015 when it was gifted to the Irish state and entered the care of the OPW.

All pics taken 20.06.2022

The Woodlands Garden holds some of the earliest rhododendrons introduced to Ireland.

A work in progress.

In the walled garden.

Richard Arthur Grove Annesley inherited Anne’s Grove in 1892 and developed the landscape in the Robinsonian style in the early 1900s. 

The oldest part of the gardens is this Walled Garden,
originally laid out in the 18th century.

This is a country garden site featuring rough terrain, uneven surfaces, steep drops and open water. Appropriate footwear and clothing  required.

Annes Grove is a 190 acre historic estate with 30 acres of renowned gardens.
The Awbeg river flows through; work on the island has been completed
and that should lead to expanded access shortly. Much of the estate is situated above the river and glen, the landscape reminiscent of poet Edmund Spencer's The Fairie Queen which
was written nearby in Kilcolman Castle (OPW booklet)

The front of the house.

Wildflowers too, of course, like these foxgloves

A tearooms has been mentioned but at the moment
there is a food truck called The Little Farm. Just as well 
as most of the local restaurants were closed on the
Monday we visited. We enjoyed a toasted sandwich (ham and cheese is
the only choice) and that came with an excellent relish and handfuls
of O'Donnell's Potato Crisps. They had a choice of three cakes
plus lots of hot and cold drinks, along with a selection of
Leahy's Farm ice cream. Plus these two cool and refreshing drinks.
No shortage of outdoor seating (unshaded).

The walled garden, not yet fully restored but open, is a highlight especially
this border.

Rear of the house.