Ireland

Co. Waterford

Lismore

52.139

-7.93361

Fully Extant

Unknown

Unknown

No

2.S. Vol. II, p. 42, 1855.

Mark Girouard in CXXXVI, 336, 389, 1964.

Vol. VI, 1823.

Grounds Only

3535-854-061

3535-854-896

Individual / Family Trust

Private Home

Owned by the Trustees of the Lismore Estate.

Duke of Devonshire, Marquess of Hartington, Earl of Burlington; Cavendish family here since 1748.

Earl of Burlington, Earl of Cork, Boyle family. Lord and Lady Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish (Lady Charles was the former Adele Astaire, sister of Fred Astaire), 1932-44.

Originally built in 1185 by King John, Lismore Castle was the home of the Bishops of Waterford in medieval times. The Boyle family (Earls of Chesterfield and Cork) purchased the Estate in 1602 from Sir Walter Raleigh. The House was a ruin when the Boyles bought it; it was restored by them and then destroyed during the Civil War and subsequently restored again. The Lismore Estate came to the Cavendish family (Dukes of Devonshire) through the marriage of 4th Duke to the only surviving daughter and heiress (Lady Charlotte Boyle) of the 3rd Earl of Burlington. The 6th Duke of Devonshire did enormous work on Lismore Castle, employing William Atkinson as his architect and using A.W. Pugin and Frederick Crace on the interiors. Joseph Paxton also carried out work on Lismore. In 1932 Adele Astaire, famous sister of Fred Astaire, retired from the stage to marry Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish, second son of the 9th Duke of Devonshire. The newlyweds moved to Ireland, where they lived at Lismore until Lord Charles's death in 1944. Lady Charles had three children with Lord Charles, none of whom survived infancy. The Castle remains a private home and is not open to visitors.

The historic seven acres of gardens at Lismore are divided into two very different halves. The Upper Garden is a complete example of the 17th century walled garden first constructed here by Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork, in about 1605. The outer walls and terraces remain and the plantings have changed to match the tastes of those living within the Castle. The Lower Garden was mostly made in the 19th century for the 6th Duke of Devonshire, Joseph Paxton's patron. This garden is informal with shrubs, trees and lawns. The stately Yew Avenue is where Edmund Spencer is said to have written “The Faerie Queen.” This avenue is much older than the garden itself, probably 17th century. Camellias are the first heralds of spring, and are followed closely by the Magnolias and spring flowering bulbs. A fine collection of rhododendrons maintain the interest through late spring and early summer before giving way to the flowering herbaceous borders. The upper garden is home to herbaceous borders and a working kitchen garden providing vegetables, fruit and herbs for the Castle kitchens. Vegetable beds are edged with roses and grass paths adding a decorative interest to the functional space. Key flowers and plants in the gardens are identified by hanging letters and the corresponding information is on the back of this leaflet. Since 1999, several pieces of contemporary sculpture have been installed in the gardens, including one by Anthony Gormley, best known for “Angel of the North,” which overlooks the motorway at Gateshead in the north of England. Visitors can also visit the contemporary art gallery, Lismore Castle Arts, as part of their admission, which features exhibitions by some of the world’s leading artists. (We are most grateful to Lismore Castle for this history of the Gardens).

"Northanger Abbey" (2007 - Granada Television production, as Northanger Abbey).