Farmleigh House & Estate
Overview
Farmleigh House is situated in the northwest corner of Phoenix Park and is adjacent to the Chapelizod and Castleknock areas of Dublin. It covers an area of 79 acres and contains many beautiful features, including the main house, which has a fine examples of Georgian and Victorian architecture, the sunken garden, the walled garden, the famous clock tower and the lake.
Farmleigh House provides premier accommodation and facilities to visiting dignitaries and officially sponsored national and international meetings of importance. Public access to Farmleigh House is facilitated as much as possible, with public tours available.
The Farmleigh Gallery supplements the large art collection in Farmleigh House itself. The Cow Shed theatre is on site and regular food and craft markets are held behind the Gallery on the first Sunday of the month from Easter to December. Community and cultural events are held during the summer months. Christmas is another time when you'll find seasonal events.
The Boathouse Restaurant, set alongside the ornamental lake, offers an ideal environment to sample a light fare of Irish and Italian cuisine.
The ground floor of the house is fully accessible by wheelchair users. Groups need to book tours about a month in advance to avoid disappointment.
Join one of their knowledgeable guides for a tour of Farmleigh House that takes you from the 18th century, when building commenced, right up to the present day.
Built in late 18th century, Farmleigh House was originally as small Georgian house, bought by Edward Cecil Guinness, a great grandson of Arthur Guinnes’s, a founder of world famous Guinness Brewery. In 1919 Edward Cecil became the 1st Earl of Iveagh.
In 1999 Irish Government bought Farmleigh House from the Guinness family for 29 million euro. Farmleigh House is used as an accommodation and as a host for special country’s guests- it welcomed President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Sonja of Norway, President of the Republic of Poland Lech Kaczynski, Dame Silvia Cartwright, UK Prime Minister and other world dignitaries as well as its open for public to investigate, learn, discover and enjoy.
The building was a few times extended, enlarged, refurbished and with an enlarged beautiful garden with lake, courtyard and stables, walled garden and fountain lawn, increased floral schemes.
Farmleigh House in the beginning of 20th century became a modern and stylish mansion. The unique interior design is a mixture of a classical, Jacobean, Louis XV, Louis XVI and Georgian. In 2001 a major restoration works took place to preserve this 78 acres occupying magnificent estate and make it accessible to the public. Lots of literary, gardening and outdoor, arts, music events and food markets take place in this mansion.
The tour of Farmleigh House covers: entrance hall, dining, the boudoir, Nobel room and the blue drawing room, the ballroom, conservatory, the library, dairy and gallery.
The Gallery homes great exhibitions, one of the highlights is Venice, displaying the work of Irish artist Gerard Byrne and nominated Willie Doherty, who in 2007 represented Northern Ireland at Venice Biennale exhibition.
Exhibition collections features Houston and Paris buildings by Dublin-born Peter Rice, the photographs of Europe, Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Ireland by Cork-born Frank Brown.
In the Gallery there are artifacts, costumes and jewellery from Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia and to show uniqueness of the three Baltic countries culture and richness of their traditions.
Situated in the north-west corner of the Phoenix Park, with lots of events taking place all year round, but more during the summer months, this Dublin attraction, surrounded by nature, is a perfect place for all family to enjoy.
The 37 meter high Clock Tower on a clear day opens panoramic views- an opportunity to take your camera out and capture the day.
Opening hours
Farmleigh Estate opens at 10:00 Monday to Sunday inclusive.
Price
Entry to Farmleigh Estate is free of charge.
Farmleigh House Admissions Charges:
Adult: €8.00
Senior (60+): €6.00
Child (12-17)/Student (ID required): €4.00
Child under 12: Free
Family (Two adults, max five children): €20.00
Farmleigh Outdoor Guided Tour Charges:
Adult: €5.00
Senior (60+): €4.00
Child (12-17)/Student (ID required): €3.00
Child under 12: Free
Family (Two adults, max five children): €13.00
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