Overview
Heywood Gardens lies on a sweeping hillside at Haywood Demesne, a short walk north of the charming village of Ballinakill in County Laois. Spread over roughly 50 acres, the estate marries an 18th‑century Romantic parkland with a compact, inter‑locked formal garden created in the early 1900s. Visitors are greeted by a limestone gate lodge, a network of pleached lime‑tree alleys, three historic lakes excavated in the 1700s, and a series of terraces that frame panoramic views across seven counties. The grounds are owned and managed by the Office of Public Works and are open year‑round with no admission charge.
History / Background
The story begins in 1773 when Frederick Trench, fresh from his Grand Tour of Europe, erected Heywood House and reshaped the surrounding countryside. He moved entire hills, dug the three lakes that dominate the park, planted extensive tree belts and added whimsical follies, creating what contemporary accounts described as the most exquisite Romantic landscape of its time.
In the early 20th century Colonel Hutchinson Poe commissioned the eminent architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to redesign the immediate surroundings of the now‑lost Heywood House. Working closely with the celebrated horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, Lutyens laid out a series of inter‑locking garden rooms in an Arts‑and‑Crafts style. Completed around 1912, the formal garden features a stone‑walled circular layout, a sunken garden that descends in terraces to an elliptical pool, a red‑tiled loggia bearing an inscription from Alexander Pope, and a summerhouse. Although Heywood House was demolished in the 1960s, the Lutyens‑Jekyll garden remains one of the finest surviving examples of their collaborative work in Ireland.
The estate passed into state ownership in November 1993 when the Office of Public Works took over from the Salesian Fathers, who had cared for the grounds since 1941. Today the gardens are maintained as a public heritage site, offering insight into both 18th‑century landscape design and early‑20th‑century formal garden art.
What to See & Do
- Lutyens’ Garden – The centerpiece of the estate. A sunken garden with circular terraces leads down to an elliptical pool surrounded by turtle statues and a grand fountain. Plantings shift through the seasons: spring brings peonies, miniature irises, bergenia and anemones; summer adds hostas, geraniums, heuchera and saxifraga; autumn showcases a striking blue palette of nepeta, aconitum, delphinium and chionodoxa.
- Terraced Walks – A pleached lime alley (planted c.1906) guides visitors from the formal garden to the Upper Terrace, where alliums, wild rose, Erinus alpinus, hardy cyclamen and kniphofia bloom in summer. A nearby pergola, recently refreshed with hydrangeas, wisteria and fuchsia, offers a shaded retreat.
- Romantic Parkland & Lakes – A promenade lined with pollard lime trees leads to sweeping viewpoints over the Laois countryside. The three historic lakes, still teeming with moorhens, kingfishers and other waterbirds, provide tranquil spots for bird‑watching and photography.
- Architectural Follies – Scattered along the original drive are whimsical follies that echo Trench’s 18th‑century vision, adding a touch of intrigue to the walk.
- Wildlife & Photography – Apart from the waterbirds, visitors often spot red‑kites soaring above the hills and may hear the distant call of the common nightingale in summer. The ever‑changing light across the lakes makes the site popular with landscape photographers.
- Cultural Events – Every August the Twin Trees Festival transforms Heywood Gardens into a three‑day outdoor studio. Day one focuses on painting within the gardens, day two explores the woodlands and lakes, and day three moves into Ballinakill village, welcoming artists of all levels.
- Guided Tours & Seasonal Activities – OP W runs occasional guided walks in the spring and early summer, highlighting the garden’s design history and its wildlife. Check the OP W website for the latest schedule.
Practical Information
- Opening times: Open daily, year‑round. Seasonal hours: Oct‑Mar 08:30‑17:00; Apr & Sep 08:30‑19:00; May‑Aug 08:30‑21:00.
- Location: Haywood Demesne, Ballinakill, Co. Laois (postal code R32 Y5X).
- Access: Reachable by car via the R430; free parking is available near the limestone gate lodge. Limited public‑transport links serve Ballinakill; the nearest bus stop is in the village centre (≈5 min walk). The closest train station is Portlaoise, about 12 km away, with regular Iarnród Éireann services.
- Facilities: Picnic tables, a small visitor kiosk with restrooms, and a wheelchair‑friendly path along the main promenade. Some garden rooms have steps and uneven ground.
- Contact: Office of Public Works – Heywood Gardens, tel. +353 57 123 4567, email info@opw.ie.
- Tips: Bring a camera for the lake reflections, wear sturdy shoes for the terraced walks, and check the OP W website for dates of the Twin Trees Festival and any seasonal guided tours.
Getting There
From Dublin, take the M7 to Portlaoise, then follow the R430 north for 12 km to the Ballinakill turn‑off. Signage to Heywood Gardens is clear from the main road. If you are using public transport, the Bus Éireann route 73 stops in Ballinakill; from there it is a short, well‑marked walk to the estate entrance.
Nearby Attractions
- Emo Court – A short 15‑minute drive north, this neoclassical mansion set in 110 acres of parkland offers additional walking trails and a historic walled garden.
- Abbeyleix – The heritage town of Abbeyleix, known for its Georgian streets and the Abbeyleix Bog nature reserve, lies 10 km east and makes a pleasant stop for lunch or a stroll.
- Ballinakill Village – Offers a handful of cafés, a craft shop and the annual Ballinakill Harvest Festival in September.
Seasonal Highlights
- Spring (March‑May) – Peonies and miniature irises burst into colour; kingfisher sightings are at their peak.
- Summer (June‑August) – The Twin Trees Festival, long‑day light for photography, and the garden’s wisteria‑clad pergola in full bloom.
- Autumn (September‑November) – The blue‑toned planting scheme (nepeta, delphinium) creates striking contrast against the golden foliage of the surrounding parkland.
- Winter (December‑February) – While many flower beds lie dormant, the stark winter landscape offers dramatic silhouettes of the lime‑tree alleys and the frozen lakes provide a peaceful backdrop for quiet walks.