by Anne Lucey
A patchwork of paths and ornamental features, created in the 18th century during the heyday of formal gardening, has been discovered under layers of soil at famed Killarney House. The gardens, leading from the centre of the top tourist town to the largest of the Killarney lakes, are to be restored with the restoration works leading to “a St Stephen’s Green-type” amenity.
Killarney House was part of a chateau which was once the seat of the Earls of Kenmare. Now in state ownership, it is being renovated with 35 acres of gardens being restored. Traces of the lost gardens were uncovered by archaeologists in recent weeks.
National Parks and Wildlife regional manager Pat Dawson said a process of archaeological trenching was carried out on certain sections of the grounds under the supervision of conservation architect Liz Morgan.
“The purpose of the trenching was to try to identify the location of the original paths and the layout of the formal gardens and ornamental ground dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries,” Mr Dawson said. The park manager said plans had been drawn up based on ordnance survey maps and old photos, but the trenching had confirmed the drawings were correct.
The grounds of Killarney House, stretching to Lough Lein, had been the venue of the once hugely popular Killarney agricultural show and, although the land had been ploughed, the remnants of the formal gardens and its important paths remained. The flower gardens and parterre will be restored in time for the opening of the house to the public in summer 2014. The grounds will also incorporate a “formal wilderness” which was a feature of gardens in earlier centuries. One feature known as a Patte d’Oie or Goose Foot — trees usually trimmed to geometric shapes — will involve the restoration of four or five paths meeting at a central point.
Senator Paul Coghlan, who has for many years pushed for the restoration of the house and gardens, said: “This is a hugely important addition to the National Park and Killarney itself as it is immediately adjacent to the town. It will be a town park within the National Park and will be another St Stephen’s Green — in the heart of Kerry.”
Source: Irish Examiner – Killarney’s Lost Gardens Set to Be Restored to their Former Splendour
