What a start to the European 2016 Championship on Monday! Following a superb goal from Ireland, we are off to a great start in the tournament. We are all looking forward to the matches with Belgium and Italy here at Powerscourt.

Tourism Ireland has put together an amazing video of our boys in green playing football at some of the most iconic locations in Ireland, including Powerscourt!

With Father’s Day just around the corner, why not treat Dad to some time out from the stresses of everyday life with the Tee Off at Powerscourt Hotel package?  Located just 30 minutes from Dublin, Powerscourt Hotel Resort and Spa offers the perfect escape for that special man in your life this Father’s Day. 

Your dad will enjoy a luxurious overnight stay with breakfast overlooking the Sugar Loaf Mountain and a gourmet dinner for two in Sika restaurant, carefully prepared by Chef Peter Byrne and his team in Sika restaurant, with an emphasis on local excellence, seasonality and the best of Irish contemporary cooking. The package also includes a round of golf at Powerscourt Golf Club, with dad hitting the fairways on either the East or West course.

And for that special man who likes to be pampered, spoil him with an additional treat of a relaxing hot towel shave by our expert therapist Daniel O’ Connor, which includes a facial cleanse, exfoliation and a relaxing scalp massage in the award-winning ESPA. An open razor blade is used for the ultimate shave finish and a cool compress is applied to soothe the skin.

The Tee Off package is available from €225 per person sharing, while the Hot Towel Shave treatment costs €95 for 60 minutes.

For more information on the Tee Off package at Powerscourt Hotel Resort & Spa, visit www.powerscourthotel.com or telephone 01 274 8888.

Cool Planet Experience, due to open in 2017, has backing of several top Irish companies

Dripping glaciers, extreme weather rooms and trees with pulsating hearts are among some of the high-tech exhibits planned for a climate change centre at Powerscourt estate in Co Wicklow.

The Cool Planet Experience gives a glimpse into what the planet will look like in 50 years’ time if we continue burning fossil fuels and clearing rainforests at the current rate.

It is being modelled on London’s Science Museum and Belfast’s W5, albeit on a smaller scale and with a climate focus.

The centre, which aims to open in early 2017, is the brainchild of Norman Crowley, serial entrepreneur and founder of energy firm Crowley Carbon.

“Since the beginning of this century, the world has recorded 15 of the hottest years in terms of global temperatures. It is now clear that climate change is the biggest threat to our children,” said Mr Crowley. One of the main goals is to educate children on this, he said.

As well as Crowley Carbon, the centre has the financial backing of some of Ireland’s leading companies, including NTR, Vodafone and Calor.

It will be in a two-story building beside the Powerscourt Gardens and theAvoca store and restaurant, which receive nearly 500,000 visitors a year.

Artist’s impression of the dripping glacier at the Cool Planet Experience, which is due to open at the Powerscourt Estate in early 2017. Picture: Martello Media

Cool Planet curators hope to drum up a footfall of close to 45,000 in their first year.

They have employed Dublin-based Martello Media, the firm behind the GPO’s 1916 exhibition, to develop a series of high-spec exhibits and interactive games to give visitors an “experiential journey” through climate change.

“Visitors will get to feel different extremes of weather from severe drought to the howling winds and raging waters and hear the stories of those affected directly,” they said.

The Slazenger family, which owns and runs the Powerscourt estate, are understood to be strongly supportive.

“This is one of the most exciting ideas we have seen in relation to educating the public on climate change and the action that’s required,” NTR boss Rosheen McGuckian said.

A landmark deal to tackle climate change was agreed by 195 countries at UN talks in Paris last year. It commits the EU to cutting its own greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 per cent on 1990 levels by 2030.

The respective cuts applied to each member state have yet to be decided.Ireland is known to be lobbying hard to have its relatively large agricultural sector, the chief generator of carbon emissions here, taken into account.

Source: http://www.irishtimes.com/business/energy-and-resources/high-tech-climate-change-centre-planned-for-powerscourt-estate-1.2665067

Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company in the magical surroundings of Powerscourt Gardens in County Wicklow as they present Sense & Sensibility in one of Ireland’s most stunning open-air venues. Enjoy an afternoon of Regency wonderment on 26^th of June at 2.30pm as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into the fascinating world of eighteenth-century society.

Picnic with family and friends as you follow the sisters while they find their path and lose their hearts under a beautiful summer sky in their quest to find the perfect balance of sense and sensibility. Performed in Powerscourt’s period Walled Garden this promises to be one of the most splendid afternoons of the open-air theatre season.

Bring along a picnic and soak up the views while you relax in one of Ireland’s most beautiful gardens. Ticket prices are from €16.50 and include entry to Powerscourt Gardens.  To book visit www.powerscourt.com/events.

Thanks to Kerry Gordon for this lovely review of our recent historical walking tour at Powerscourt.

"It was with great pleasure that I joined the fascinating guided tour of Powerscourt Estate’s garden with John Ducie, who is an entertaining garden historian, horticulturist and good friend of Powerscourt over the years.

John Ducie

Originally a castle, in the 18^th Century the first Viscount Powerscourt transformed this castle into a grand Palladian mansion with a great Baroque landscape.  With the advent of the Grand Tour of Europe it became fashionable to build gardens in an Italian style inspired by the Renaissance. Daniel Robertson became the architect behind the Italian Garden we see today which was voted the 3^rd best garden in the world by National Geographic.

However it is the Seventh Viscount who had the vision to create an “outdoor gallery” in the perfect setting of Powerscourt Estate, nestled in the mountains of Wicklow. This natural landscape is now filled with artwork, plants and trees from around the world. His wife the Empress Julia inspired the ornamental planting where formal Victorian tea parties could be held as was the fashion at the time. The beautiful Julia’s Memorial was built as a tribute to her.

Julia's Memorial

Powerscourt Gardens is also a “living garden” with a stunning herbaceous border in the walled garden, with ornamental fountains which were originally water supplies to feed the garden. With the opening up of exploration and trade routes, exotic plants and trees began to flood into Ireland from a far afield as New Zealand, the United States of America and China. Many of these thrived in the Irish climate and can be found in the beautiful arboretum of trees today situated in the romantic landscape.

Head Gardener Alex Slazenger

The Slazenger family bought Powerscourt Estate from the Ninth Viscount and the current Head Gardener is Alex Slazenger who can usually be found in the gardens with his passionate team working on maintaining and nurturing this beautiful estate.   

John’s enthusiasm, passion and never-ending knowledge of the history of the Estate through the centuries, created an intriguing event. Our group included many different nationalities including people like myself that are interested in learning more about the history of Co. Wicklow through often turbulent times.

John succeeded in transporting us back in time to a land of Viscounts when new types of art and architecture being introduced to the East of Ireland. More of this can be discovered in Ireland’s Ancient East http://www.irelandsancienteast.com/stories/highlights/powerscourt of which Powerscourt Estate is an important highlight.

This event was included in the entry price to Powerscourt Gardens and was free for Powerscourt members. To book tickets for a future visit, www.powerscourt.com/events."

About John Ducie:

John Ducie is a professional Horticulturist, garden historian and landscape designer. He is a past President of the European Network of National Heritage Organisations and a past Chairman of the Heritage Gardens and Designed Landscapes Committee for Ireland. He was a founder of both The Tree Council of Ireland and the Irish Garden Plant Society. He is a Failte Ireland Approved National Tour Guide and a member of ATGI.  He has known and loved Powerscourt for more than 50 years met the last Viscount to live there and was in the house before the great fire of 1974.

About Kerry Gordon:

Kerry Gordon lives by the sea in Co. Wicklow, Ireland with her daughter Molly and greyhound Lola. She is a long term blogger for Powerscourt Estate and Gardens and enjoys nothing more than visiting Powerscourt Waterfall, walking in Powerscourt Gardens, followed by a tasty scone and pot of tea in Avoca at Powerscourt House. Kerry can be reached at kerry.gordon@gmail.com or @kerrymgordon

Climbing up trees, rolling down grassy banks, playing hide-and-seek, and climbing up more trees — this is what an afternoon trip to Powerscourt Gardens looks like for Annette Kelly and her family! 

After exploring and playing around the colourful Walled Garden, the tranquil Dolphin Pond and the sylvan Rhododendron Walk, they visited the magical Japanese Gardenand Tower Valley.

There, below the majestic, century-old trees, the lawns were carpeted with delicate bluebells. Further up, the Pepperpot Tower was modelled on a favourite pepperpot from Lord Powerscourt’s dining table!

See below for beautiful photos of their visit. For similar articles and more awesome images, check out Annette's blog 'Four Acorns'. 

Thanks Annette! It looks like you all had a fantastic day at Powerscourt. Visit Annette's blog for more great articles.

Powerscourt Distillery has been granted planning permission for the construction of a craft distillery and visitor centre at Powerscourt Estate, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.

Powerscourt Distillery CEO and Co-Founder Gerry Ginty said:

“We are delighted with the planning permission granted for this unique and ambitious project. Whiskey from Powerscourt Distillery will be recognised for its authenticity and unique taste. We will combine certified mineral water from the Estate with barley grown on the Estate to create something that is extra special. In essence it will be the ultimate Irish whiskey, created from barley to bottle on Powerscourt Estate.”

Powerscourt Distillery is a joint venture with Powerscourt Estate, supported by an agreement with the Slazenger family to locate the distillery on the estate, which has an 800 year history stretching back to a castle built in the 13^th century. The Slazengers are the owners and custodians of Powerscourt Estate and Gardens, developing it into a hugely popular tourist attraction, with over 500,000 visitors each year and visitor numbers to the gardens from both the US and China rising over 49% and 39% respectively in the past year alone.

Sarah Slazenger, Managing Director of Powerscourt Estate said:

“We are very pleased to see this key milestone achieved and look forward to progressing the development of this exciting new venture for the Estate which will help attract more visitors to Powerscourt who are interested in seeing authentic Irish craft excellence brought to life.”

The project will refurbish the Estate’s old mill house into a world-class distillery set against the stunning backdrop of the Sugar Loaf Mountain and Powerscourt’s award-winning gardens. Master Distiller Roy Court will mix barley grown in the surrounding fields with certified mineral water from Powerscourt Estate’s well, using traditional pot still techniques. Powerscourt Distillery will create a portfolio of unique whiskeys that will stand out in the rapidly growing Irish whiskey market.

 Local entrepreneurs Gerry Ginty and Ashley Gardiner are co-founders of the new venture and are planning a €10m investment that will create 30 jobs in the construction phase and 18 full-time jobs once the business is fully operational.

At full production the distillery will have the potential to produce over 1 million bottles of whiskey per year. By early 2018 the first batch of whiskey will be distilled and placed in oak casks to mature. Bord Bia forecast demand to quadruple in size to over 24m cases worldwide by 2030 and Powerscourt Distillery plans to capitalise on the rapidly growing international demand for Irish whiskey.

Gardens of the Gods

Historical Walking Tour of Powerscourt Gardens with John Ducie

Be transported back in time by John Ducie, garden expert and historian, in a guided walking tour of Powerscourt Gardens and the wider landscape beyond in County Wicklow on 4^th of May at 11am. 

• Hear stories behind the creation of one of the world’s greatest gardens; the amassing of its collection of ancient Roman and Greek statues and German, English, Italian and French art works. Learn about the themes of the works and how they came to be located in Wicklow.
• Discover the secrets of its design and of the lives of talented architects, builders and gardeners who made it all possible.
• Learn about how the garden and house were used in the past
• Find out about the owners and their contributions to Ireland and the world, including the modern games of golf and tennis and the shaping of Irish identity and landscape.
• Marvel at the rich plant life, find out about its skilful use and discover the world famous collection of rare and beautiful trees.

The cost of the event is included in the entry price to Powerscourt Gardens and is free for Powerscourt members. To book tickets visit, www.powerscourt.com/events.

John Ducie is a professional Horticulturist, garden historian and landscape designer. He is a past President of the European Network of National Heritage Organisations and a past Chairman of the Heritage Gardens and Designed Landscapes Committee for Ireland. He was a founder of both The Tree Council of Ireland and the Irish Garden Plant Society. He is a Failte Ireland Approved National Tour Guide and a member of ATGI.  He has known and loved Powerscourt for more than 50 years, met the last Viscount to live there and was in the house before the great fire of 1974.

Daughters, Dowries and Debt

The life of an Elizabethan career soldier and adventurer was physically demanding, dangerous and highly political with each one vying for the attention of the Queen.  Richard Wingfield, 1st Viscount Powerscourt, fought for decades across Europe and finally in Ireland gained lands and title.  But what of the wives of these hardy military men? Marriages in general were arranged and first and foremost a family alliance was based on the dowry and or political connections of the bride.  In the case of Richard and Frances Rugge their marriage may well have been an honourable gesture by a gentleman to the widow of an old comrade in arms.

Frances was firstly married to Edward 3rd Baron Cromwell who had fought with Richard in the Netherlands and in the wars in Ireland.  Edward was descended from the famous Thomas Cromwell, the son of a blacksmith, who was born in 1485 and entered the service of Cardinal Wolsey, King Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor, rapidly becoming one of Wolsey's chief agents.  In 1530 Wolsey fell out of favour with Henry VIII and was executed, whereupon Cromwell, then aged 45, entered Henry VIII's service and soon emerged to become one of the most powerful men in the Kingdom.  It was Thomas Cromwell who masterminded the dissolution of the monasteries and established the absolute authority of the monarchy and the protestantisation of the English church.  But in 1540 he lost the support of Henry VIII and, like Wolsey and many others before, was executed, thus losing all of his titles as well as his head.

Thomas Cromwell

The Barony of Oakham was, however, returned to the Cromwell family later that same year by way of a grant to Gregory, Thomas Cromwell's son.  Gregory became the 1st Baron Cromwell and the title then passed through six further generations, the last holder being Vere, the 7th Baron who died without male children in 1682.  Frances Rugge or Repps was seen as a good match for Edward the 3^rd Baron.  William her father held extensive properties in Norfolk and the Rugges’ were a prominent and well established Norfolk family and near neighbours of the Cromwell’s.

Gregory Cromwell

Edward spent years abroad fighting for the Crown from the Netherlands to Ireland and Frances would have seen very little of her husband.  (While fighting in Ireland a Father Edmund MacCana, described Cromwell as, "this son of Earth and foul spot on the human race". MacCana writes of a sortie by Cromwell into the North, " that he (Cromwell) set fire to the noble church and monastery of St Patrick.., and exposed to the fury of the flames the relics of Saint Patrick, Saint Columba and Saint Brigid", MacCana continues, "I have been told by my Grandfather that he was an eye witness of that sacrilegious incendiarism;…for so notorious was the sacrilege of that impious man, that numbers of old men reckoned their age from it").

Earl of Essex

The Earl of Essex knighted Edward for his efforts in Ireland and his future seemed prosperous and well connected until overlooked for an expected appointment Edward got involved in the Earl of Essex Rebellion in 1601 (the Earl rebelled against the Queen following her criticism and censure after his disastrous campaign in Ireland).  Edward seems to have been the victim of circumstance and had very little real involvement in the rebellion but was imprisoned in the Tower of London and Frances and their children’s future must have seemed in grave peril.  Edward could have been executed alongside the ring leaders and all his lands and title forfeit.  In February 1601 Frances had to make “humble suit to the council on behalf of her Lord that is a prisoner in the Tower, in regard that he is corpulent and sickly he may take the air”.  Her wish was granted permitting her husband “from time to time to take the air, but only in the company of the Lieutenant and his deputy”.  

Tower of London

On 5 Mar 1601 Cromwell was brought for trial with Lord Sandys in Westminster Hall, fined the huge sum of £3,000 and placed under house arrest.  Though not debarred from taking his seat in Parliament, Cromwell was advised on the 23th Sep 1601 by the Privy Council that it "is thought by her Majesty more convenient that you forbeare your comminge to the Parliament".  Cromwell frequently petitioned Sir Robert Cecil in an attempt to get himself reconciled with the sovereign.

King James I (VI Scotland)

On the accession of James I in Mar 1603, Lord Edward Cromwell "joined in the proclamation of King James and was afterwards sworn of the Privy Council (Ireland)".  His brother, Gregory, received a knighthood from James that April.  However, in order to meet mounting "debts, payments of great legacies, intolerable charges in law, employment in costly services, imprisonment in the Tower, and other causes…" Cromwell was forced to part with the house of his father and Grandfather, Launde Abbey.  On Dec 9th, the "Grant to Wm.Smith, and his heirs, of the reversion of Launde Priory, co. Leicester, and others, with remainder to lord Cromwell" was made.  James I wrote to Robert Cecil, "I was daily troubled with the poor Lord Cromwell's begging leave to sell the last pieces of his land, who had valiantly served the State in the wars".  However James’ favourites at court were very unsympathetic towards Edward and he even had his coach and horses seized to pay his debts. This period must have been dreadful for Frances as she watched her and her children’s’ inheritance lost placing their future marriages and social standing in grave peril.

In 1605 through Lord Mountjoy, having lost most of his English land and possessions, Edward was made Governor of Lecale in Northern Ireland.  However, Edward struggled in Ireland.  In April 1606 he wrote to Robert Cecil

Robert Cecil

Having laboured to transport myself, my wife, family and goods into Ireland, where I have bought lands of Lord Devonshire's, returning, I am not only fallen sick, but found my Lord (Mountjoy) very sick, whom God has now taken, to my double grief for the loss of so good a friend.  His sudden death prevented the perfecting of the writings for my assurance.  Having ousted myself here of all, and no certainty there, I know not how to turn but to your favour; beseeching that, as I am to live in an uncivil country, that company of foot I have by my Lord's appointment may not be cast, and that you will remember me for those 60 horse of his there, which by his death rest to be disposed.  There was some promise hereof between us.

By June 1606

Being here at Lyrpoole, at the water side ready for my passage, I am informed of many very distasteful news, that the Bishop of Down makes challenge to part of the principal house ; and that there are many leases made for life of the chiefest parts of the land, which are covenanted by my Lord of Devonshire to be made free to me without exception ; besides many other impediments, whereof I am like to feel the future danger ; as also how to keep that rebellious nation in quiet without some means of authority, the only bridle to that uncivil people amongst whom I am to reside, being far from my Lord Deputy and all civil administration.  I acquaint the Countess [of Devonshire] and his lordship's executors more particularly of what I have already heard of the former ; and for the other I wholly rely upon you and their wisdoms who have made an establishment there. I beseech your honourable word to the Countess on my behalf.

Sir Charles Blount, 8th Baron Mountjoy, 1st Earl of Downshire

By September 1607, two days before his death he wrote to the Earl of Salisbury

Leaves to the Deputy's letters and the report of Sir Oliver Lambard, the account of Tirone's flight and other occurrences concerning the same.  Present needful defence must be made against such an enemy, having now so great a pawn and guide in his hand, his stated charge, which now may be hazarded standing next the fire which is likely to kindle in these north parts, where never wanted malice or means to effect any mischief.  In any reinforcement of forces, asks for himself some more proportionable increase of strength.  My Lord Deputy has certified, or may certify, that he, by his forwardness to frame the persons and their proceedings as might be most conformable to His Majesty's service and the good quiet of the country, has purchased little love, and expects less favour of this rebellious nation, if ever they get the overhand of him, from which so small a defence as he now has can hardly secure him. Is ashamed that he cannot present his love to him, either by such worthy means as he would preset or such presents as some parts of this country yieldeth, by hawk or horse, wherein the next season he hope will supply.

Sir Richard Wingfield, Ist Viscount Powerscourt

Following so many years of living in peril, and losing virtually all of their lands and possessions, the Cromwell’s move to Ireland made their circumstances even worse.  His friend and comrade Mountjoy dead, his title to his new homes and lands challenged and surrounded by hostile natives Edward passed away a broken man leaving his family with uncertain means in a dangerous land. Richard Wingfield, his old comrade in arms, must have been literally a knight in shining armour when he married Frances and took her and the family under his protection.  Shortly after their own marriage Richard arranged for Frances’ daughter Frances to marry his god son and relative Sir John Wingfield from Tickencote, Rutland and Sir John’s cousin Edward from Carnew married Frances’ other daughter Ann.  Richard Wingfield died without issue (neither with Frances or his previous wife) so Powerscourt and the title passed on to the grand children of Frances (children of her daughters from her first marriage).

Adventurer to Aristocrat

Richard Wingfield 1st Viscount Powerscourt

On a beautiful Spring day like today the view of the Sugar Loaf from Powerscourt is simply breathtaking and it is easy to forget what a rugged and dangerous landscape the Wicklow Mountains seemed to the first Lord Powerscourt. The majestic Sugar Loaf Mountain had for centuries been a landmark for scholars and pilgrims travelling to and from the monastic city of Glendalough.  In 1603 it towered over a very different pilgrim and his battle hardened soldiers, seeking not spiritual enlightenment but land on which to build a dynasty. 

After a long ride from Dublin through dangerous territory, constantly under threat from the native Irish inhabitants still loyal to their Gaelic chieftains, Richard and his men must have been exhausted as they crested the hill to look upon the breath taking vista of his new land grant. Seeing before him land to cultivate and “plant” with loyal subjects of the Crown his resilience and courage, over decades of fighting his way across Europe on behalf of the English Crown, had finally bore fruit. Almost sixty and still nursing some old battle wounds, his new estate, however beautiful, was based around a ruined castle and set in isolated, rugged terrain.  The Gaelic chieftains of Wicklow had fought and raided the rulers of Dublin century after century, from the Vikings to the Normans to the Elizabethan war lords like Richard, who wanted to subjugate this beautiful and lawless region on Dublin’s doorstep.

Knights, Nobles and Normans

The English Crown had claimed ownership of Ireland since 1175, but over the centuries the Norman lords had intermarried and united with the native Gaelic lords, and by the mid-14th century only the area around Dublin known as the Pale was truly loyal to the English Crown.  Powerscourt is an anglicisation of le Poer Court, Norman owners of the land in the first half of the 14th century, but the family lost the land after uniting against the Crown with the Gaelic chieftains.

“My Faithful and Beloved Soldier”

Queen Elizabeth I

There were many career soldiers like Richard with impressive military careers vying for the opportunity to impress Queen Elizabeth I and gain land and title.  It was a grand romantic gesture, as Sir Walter Raleigh did previously with his cloak, which elevated Richard above the other hungry, poetic courtiers in the eyes of the Virgin Queen.  When this wounded, loyal and successful subject was asked by his Queen how she should reward her “faithful and beloved soldier” he humbly replied “the scarf which Your Majesty wears will be sufficient reward for me”.  (Contrast this gesture with the Queen’s horror when she was presented with the pickled head of the Wicklow Chieftain Fiach McHugh O’Byrne).  In 1600 she made him Marshal of Ireland and he oversaw the defeat and exile of the Gaelic Lords and the carving up and “planting” of their lands with loyal British Protestants.  King James rewarded Wingfield's further triumphs against the Gaelic Lords on 29 June 1609 with the grant of the castle and manor of Powerscourt in perpetuity, replacing the 21 year lease dating from 1603.

Conquerors and Colonists

But land and glory in battle were not enough for this ambitious and accomplished soldier.  At almost seventy and without an heir to the amusement of his peers, he spent £2,000 purchasing the title of Viscount Powerscourt, a title which would die with him.  He clearly had faith in the Wingfield’s to follow who did indeed reclaim the title not once but twice and carved a world renowned estate from his wild, rugged land grants.