Overview
Heywood Gardens occupies a dramatic hillside setting just north of Ballinakill in County Laois. Managed by Heritage Ireland (Office of Public Works), the 50-acre estate is a layered landscape that blends sweeping 18th-century parkland with a tightly designed early 20th-century formal garden. Visitors enter through a historic limestone gate lodge and are immediately drawn into a network of pleached lime alleys, terraced garden rooms, and three large lakes. The site is entirely free to enter, open year-round, and typically takes about an hour to explore at a leisurely pace.
History & Landscape Design
The estate’s origins trace back to 1773, when Frederick Trench returned from his Grand Tour of Europe with a vision for a Romantic landscape. He reshaped the natural topography, moving entire hills, excavating three lakes, planting extensive tree belts, and scattering whimsical architectural follies along the original drive. Contemporary accounts described the result as one of the most exquisite landscapes of the era.
In the early 1900s, Colonel Hutchinson Poe commissioned the renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens to redesign the immediate grounds surrounding Heywood House. Working closely with horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll, Lutyens created a series of interlocking garden rooms in the Arts-and-Crafts style. Although Heywood House was demolished in the 1960s, the formal garden remains one of the finest surviving examples of their collaborative work in Ireland. The Salesian Fathers cared for the grounds from 1941 until the state acquired the estate in 1993, after which the Office of Public Works restored it as a public heritage site.
Exploring the Gardens
The visitor experience begins at the Gate Lodge, where interpretive panels outline the estate’s layout and history. From there, the route naturally guides you through two distinct landscape styles.
The Lutyens-Jekyll Formal Garden
The centrepiece of the property is the formal garden, composed of circular terraces and stone-walled rooms linked by a terrace that originally ran along the front of the demolished house. Key features include:
- Sunken Garden & Pool: A terraced descent leads to an elongated pool surrounded by turtle statues, with a grand fountain at its centre.
- The Loggia: Located on the upper level, this red-tiled structure bears an inscription from the writings of Alexander Pope.
- Circular Windows: Built into the surrounding garden wall, each window acts as a framed picture, deliberately capturing specific vistas of Trench’s 18th-century landscape.
- Seasonal Plantings: The beds shift with the seasons, featuring peonies and irises in spring, hostas and geraniums in summer, and a striking blue palette of nepeta and delphinium in autumn.
Romantic Parkland & Lakes
Beyond the formal garden, the landscape opens into Trench’s original parkland. A promenade lined with pollard lime trees leads to elevated viewpoints where the vista sweeps across seven counties. The three historic lakes provide tranquil spots for birdwatching; moorhens, kingfishers, and red-kites are frequently spotted. Scattered follies along the old drive add architectural intrigue, while the uneven terrain and deep water require visitors to stay on marked paths and wear suitable footwear.
Practical Information
- Admission: Free entry. A Heritage Card is not required but covers many other OPW sites if you plan to visit multiple locations.
- Opening Times: Open daily year-round. Hours vary by season: Oct–Mar (08:30–17:00), Apr & Sep (08:30–19:00), May–Aug (08:30–21:00).
- Facilities: Free car parking is available near the gate lodge. The site has public toilets, interpretive exhibits, and brochures. Guided tours are occasionally offered; check the official site for schedules.
- Dogs & Restrictions: Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads at all times. Cycling on walkways, fire lighting, camping, and barbeques are strictly prohibited.
- Accessibility: The main promenade and path to the upper terrace are wheelchair-friendly. However, access is limited to outside areas only, and several garden rooms contain steps and uneven surfaces.
- Contact: Tel. 086 8107916 | Email: heywoodgardens@opw.ie
- Address: Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, Co. Laois, R32 K4V6
Getting There & Nearby
Heywood Gardens is located 7 km southeast of Abbeyleix, off the R432 towards Ballinakill, and sits adjacent to the grounds of Heywood Community School. From Dublin, take the M7 to Portlaoise, then follow the N77 south to Abbeyleix, and turn onto the R432 south toward Ballinakill. Signage to the estate entrance is clear from the main road. Bus Éireann route 73 stops in Ballinakill village, followed by a short, well-marked walk to the gardens.
If you have time to extend your trip, Emo Court lies about 25 km to the north, offering another fine example of neo-classical architecture set within extensive parkland. For a quieter stop, the heritage town of Abbeyleix provides Georgian streets and a nearby nature reserve, making it a convenient base for lunch or a short stroll before heading back to the hills.