Altamont Garden is a stunning estate located in County Carlow, Ireland, that is known for its beautiful gardens and rich history. The garden spans over 40 acres and is made up of a blend of formal and informal sections, including lawns, a lake, and a variety of rare and exotic trees and shrubs.
The history of Altamont Garden dates back to the 1740s, when the St. George family purchased the estate. At the time, the main house faced the Slaney river and Wicklow mountains, and the road to the estate ran from Carrigslaney to Kilbride. However, when a new road was built from Carrigslaney to Kilbride around 1740, the St. George family decided to turn the house around by breaching the hall wall and building a porch, wing, and lift room on the other side. They also made a number of other renovations to the house, including adding plaster work, rebuilding the staircase, and enlarging the windows. In addition, they created a new front and back avenue that encloses the park and built handsome entrance gates.
One of the most notable features of Altamont Garden is its plant life. The garden is home to a wide variety of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other foliage, including lines of beech trees, limes, beeches, and chestnuts. The garden is also known for its beautiful walks, which include a broad walk leading down to the lake and terraces, as well as walks through the ancient oak woods and ice age glen down to the river Slaney.
In the 1850s, the garden was purchased by the Borrors family, who made further renovations to the property. They added a wing to the north of the house for a library and other rooms, and in 1871 they added a butler’s pantry with a cook’s room above to the south end of the house. They also had the lake dug out by hand to provide employment to the local population during the Irish Famine.
Today, Altamont Garden is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a chance to explore its beautiful gardens and learn about its rich history. The garden is open to the public for tours and events, and visitors can enjoy exploring its various sections, including the formal lawns, lake, and wooded areas. The garden is also home to a number of interesting features, such as summerhouses, urns, statuary, and hand-cut granite steps leading down to the river Slaney.
One of the most notable figures in the history of Altamont Garden is William Robinson, a renowned garden designer who is credited with helping to create a taste for the natural or wild garden. Robinson is believed to have had a hand in the design of the garden’s woodland walks and steps, as well as a number of other gardens in the area.
Altamont Garden is a beautiful and historic destination that is well worth a visit for anyone interested in gardens and horticulture. From its formal lawns and lake to its wooded areas and walks, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this enchanting garden.
