Overview
Some of the yews on Huntington’s Yew Walk were planted over 500 years ago, which makes them older than the castle they now shade. Sir Laurence Esmonde built the house in 1625 as a garrison guarding the Wexford-to-Dublin road, and the same family line – Esmonde, then Durdin, now Durdin-Robertson – has lived in it ever since. That continuity is the point of a visit. The family still lead the castle tours themselves, so what you get is not a script but the anecdotes and grudges of people who grew up in the rooms.
If you only have an hour, walk the gardens and pay the extra for the house tour to see the cellar Temple of the Goddess – the two things here you will not find anywhere else. The castle sits on the River Derry in the village of Clonegal, County Carlow, an hour and a half south of Dublin.
A Living History
The current structure was built in 1625 by Sir Laurence Esmonde to guard the vital Wexford-to-Dublin route. It replaced an earlier 15th-century tower house belonging to the Caviness clan. Following the Cromwellian conquest in 1650, the estate changed hands several times before the Esmondes reclaimed it and renamed it “Huntington” in the 1680s. They established the first formal gardens, including the lime-tree avenue that still frames the approach to the house.
Successive generations left distinct marks on the property. In 1888, an early water-turbine house was installed to generate electricity for the estate decades before nationalisation. The Durdin-Robertson family has managed the castle since the 20th century, with Alex and Clare taking over in 2010. Their stewardship has preserved the home’s intimate, lived-in character while opening it to the public.
The castle’s corridors hold the stories of several remarkable women. Ailish O’Malley, a descendant of pirate queen Grace O’Malley, served as an early chatelaine who navigated turbulent political shifts to keep the estate intact. Big-game hunter Nora Parsons brought back a 110-tooth crocodile skull, which now rests in the hallway. Olivia Robertson, a social worker and artist, later founded the spiritual temple in the basement during the 1970s.
Gardens & Grounds
The grounds blend structured landscaping with wilder, natural spaces. Visitors can follow the Italian Parterre’s symmetrical lawns, wander through the Yew Walk lined with trees over 500 years old, or stroll the fragrant Lime-Tree Avenue planted in the 17th century. The Water Gardens, laid out in the 1680s, feature ornamental ponds, a lake, and fish habitats that attract local wildlife.
Exotic specimens like towering palms and graceful cypresses grow alongside native oaks, hickory, and Siberian crab apple trees. The estate keeps something of a working farm: free-roaming chickens, lambs, sheep, cattle, and a resident peacock share the grounds with visitors. A woodland playground gives children somewhere to run, and the water-turbine house of 1888 – which generated the estate’s electricity decades before the national grid reached this corner of Carlow – still stands by the river.
The Castle & Temple of the Goddess
Inside the castle, original fireplaces, tapestry-hung drawing rooms, and an ivy-clad conservatory keep the rooms feeling lived-in rather than roped-off. Because family members lead the tours, you hear the personal detail printed guides leave out. The 17th-century tea room afterwards pours coffee from Badger and Dodo, a Cork artisan roaster, alongside locally made cakes.
Down in the cellar is the Temple of the Goddess, created by the Fellowship of Isis in the 1970s and still sometimes called the Temple of Isis. It is a genuinely odd thing to find beneath a Carlow castle: vivid mosaics, Egyptian motifs, and hand-painted walls, all put there by Olivia Robertson and her family. The castle also runs ghost tours, busiest around Halloween. Local lore has a soldier’s spectre in the Yew Walk, a lady combing her hair by moonlight, and the presence of Barbara St. Lego in the upper corridors.
The estate’s dramatic architecture has attracted filmmakers for decades. Stanley Kubrick selected the gardens and interiors for key scenes in Barry Lyndon (1975), and the property has since appeared in numerous Irish television productions and documentaries.
Staying Overnight & Seasonal Events
For those wishing to extend their visit, Huntington offers several accommodation options. Bed & Breakfast rooms feature four-poster beds, original fireplaces, and garden views. The self-catering Esmonde Wing accommodates up to six guests and overlooks the 14th-century abbey ruins. The converted 17th-century Castle Gatehouse is available for private hire as a theatre or event space.
The estate hosts seasonal events throughout the year. Late February and early March bring snowdrop walks, while Easter and Christmas feature themed garden tours and craft workshops. Halloween is marked by atmospheric lighting, special activities for children, and extended ghost-hunting tours. Summer months occasionally see outdoor concerts and art installations in the gardens.
Practical Information
Opening hours
- Gardens, Woodland Playground & Tea Rooms: 11:00–17:00. Open daily May–September and over the Bank Holiday, Easter and Halloween breaks; Saturdays and Sundays only in February–April and October–December. Closed January.
- Castle tours: 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00 on open days. No tours on wedding days or during private events, so it is worth phoning ahead if the tour is the main reason you are coming.
Admission
- Gardens: €6 adults, €3 children (4–12).
- House & gardens (castle tour): €12.95 adults, €6 children. Family/group discounts and concessions available; check the website for current rates.
Visitor tips
- Dogs and picnics are not permitted anywhere on the estate.
- The castle interior is not wheelchair-accessible – narrow staircases and historic doorways – and even in the gardens step-free access is limited to certain areas rather than the whole grounds.
- Free parking is in the Castle Car Park opposite the tea rooms; drive straight through the main entrance.
Nearby in County Carlow
Huntington Castle makes a natural stop on a wider exploration of the region. The South Leinster Way passes through the area, offering scenic forest walks and mountain views. Within a short drive, visitors can explore the Georgian architecture of Borris House, the medieval ruins of Carlow Castle, or the prehistoric Brownshill Dolmen. For a different pace, the Delta Sensory Gardens at Strawhall Estate provide a tranquil setting for a relaxed afternoon. Booking castle tours in advance is recommended, especially during peak summer months and seasonal event weekends.