Overview
Russborough has been robbed of its paintings so many times it has its own place in the history of art theft – four raids over four decades, most famously the 1974 heist led by Rose Dugdale. That it still holds the Beit Collection at all is part of the draw. The house is a Palladian mansion begun in 1741 for Joseph Leeson, 1st Earl of Milltown, its granite façade running an improbable 210 metres above the Blessington Lakes, with a pair of heraldic lions on the steps and Lafranchini stucco ceilings inside.
It works as more than a house tour. The 200-acre demesne holds a beech maze, a bird-of-prey centre and miles of marked trails, which makes it one of the better full-day family stops in County Wicklow. One thing to know before you plan: the house is seen only on a guided tour that runs on the hour, so you can’t wander the rooms at your own pace – arrive to catch a slot rather than dropping in.
History and architecture
The Leesons made their money in Dublin brewing and property before commissioning the German-born architect Richard Castle to design a villa to rival the great English houses. While the work went on, Leeson took two Grand Tours and came home with the paintings, sculpture and furniture that would fill it.
The house stayed in the Milltown line until 1914, then passed through several hands before Sir Alfred Beit bought it in 1952. Beit, a mining heir and serious collector, moved his own collection in and set up the Alfred Beit Foundation in 1976; the Foundation opened Russborough to the public in 1978. It has taken some knocks since – the run of art robberies, and a fire in February 2010 that badly damaged the west wing, though no artwork was lost. Conservation of the house and its stonework is ongoing.
The house and the Beit Collection
Guided tours run hourly from 10:00 and last about an hour, taking in seven principal ground-floor rooms – the Entrance Hall, Saloon, Drawing Rooms, Dining Rooms and Music Room – with original 18th-century French and English furniture, mahogany panelling and marble chimneypieces. The Beit Collection is the reason most people come: one of the finest private collections ever assembled in Ireland, with landscapes and portraiture including work by Gainsborough. If your interest is the art rather than the grounds, this is the part to prioritise.
Maze, trails and the parkland
Maze and Magical Trail – the 2km beech-hedge maze leads to a statue of the goddess Fame at its centre, and the adjacent Magical Trail, dotted with fairy doors and animal signs, keeps younger children going. Maze tokens come with a standard Park Ticket.
National Bird of Prey Centre – established on the grounds in 2016, home to more than 40 birds including eagles, owls, hawks and falcons. Flight demonstrations and handling sessions run through the season, but times vary – call ahead if the birds are the main reason for your visit.
Walks – two self-guided routes follow the downloadable park map: the Lake Walk, a 2km circuit along the Blessington Lakes with foxes, hares and badgers about, and the Woodland Walk, a 2.5km loop through rhododendron and mixed woodland. Both link to the Blessington Greenway, a 6.5km shared path to Blessington town with views of the lakes and the Wicklow Mountains – good for cyclists.
Walled Garden – the 18th-century walled garden, restored by RHSI volunteers, opens Tuesday and Thursday 11:00–16:00, Wednesday and Saturday 10:30–15:00, and Sunday 14:00–17:00. Heritage fruit trees, herb borders and a beehive display inside; an artisan courtyard just outside hosts potters, weavers and other makers.
CP Adventure – for older children and adults, the ropes course strings high-wire bridges, climbing nets and a zipline through the parkland, with a forest-adventure area added in 2022. Sheepdog demonstrations run on some summer days.
Practical information
Getting here and parking
Russborough is about 20 km from Dublin via the N81. Parking is €4 for the day, payable by coins or contactless, and free for members. Local buses run from Blessington town centre – check the website for current times.
Tickets and booking
Book online through the Russborough ticket portal. A combined Park Ticket covers the house tour, maze, bird-of-prey centre and trails. Memberships are worth it if you’ll come more than once or twice a year.
Access and dogs
Wheelchair-accessible routes lead to the house, café and most of the parkland, with accessible toilets near the main café and a lift inside the house. Dogs are welcome on a lead in the parklands but not in the house, café or shop.
Before you go
The house, parklands, café and shop close for a few days in early July each year for the Kaleidoscope Festival, so check the dates before travelling. Allow two to three hours for the house, gardens and maze, or a full day if you want to walk the trails and take in the lakes as well.