Spread over seven acres, the historic gardens at Lismore Castle in County Waterford are divided into two very distinct and different halves. The upper garden is a complete example of the 17th century walled garden first constructed here by Richard Boyle, the First Earl of Cork, in about 1605. The outer walls and terraces remain, and the plantings have changed to match the tastes of those living within the castle.
The lower garden was mostly created in the 19th century for the Sixth Duke of Devonshire, Joseph Paxton's patron. This garden is informal with shrubs, trees and lawns while the stately yew avenue is much older.
The gardens contain a fine collection of magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, herbaceous borders and contemporary sculpture and a remarkable yew walk where Edmund Spenser is said to have written ‘The Faerie Queen’.
- Blackwater Valley Opera Festival 2025
Family funBlackwater Valley Opera Festival 2025 Ireland’s Summer Opera Festival returns 27 May - 2 June 2025 with opera, concerts, recitals, gourmet dining, and more. Highlights include A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Lismore Castle and Dido and Aeneas at St Carthage’s Cathedral.
- A Midsummer Night's Dream
Arts and cultureA Midsummer Night's Dream Experience Britten’s magical A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the majestic grounds of Lismore Castle. With Irish artists, visionary staging, and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, this spellbinding opera promises an unforgettable night under the stars.
Visit Lismore Heritage Centre where a virtual reality experience will bring Lismore Castle to life for you.
