Larchill

Larchill, one of Ireland's most important gardens, is the most complete surviving Ferme ornée (ornamental farm-style garden) in Europe and the site of multiple follies. The main component of Larchill Demesne, it was created in the mid-18th century, and restored in the mid-1990s. It lies in the townland of Phepotstown near Kilcock, County Kildare, Ireland.

The gardens were formed in the late 18th and early 19th century, by Mr. Robert and Mrs. Watson.

A family named de Las Casas bought Larchill in 1994. By then, many of the follies were semi-derelict, the lake had been drained and the walled garden was being used for grazing. They secured a grant for restoration from the Great Gardens of Ireland Programme and, helped by a FAS Community Employment Scheme, the restoration project was carried out between 1994 and 1999, winning a number of awards.

The farm and garden form a rough rectangle, with scenic parkland walks, including beech avenues, linking key features. The walled garden and farmyard are situated at the north end, and a substantial lake at the south end.

Restored to a traditional 18th century formal design in the 1990s, the walled garden has multiple beds, including herb and vegetable sections, borders of perennial planting, box hedges, and water features.

The most prominent feature of the walled garden is the Cockle Tower, a circular castellated construction on three-levels in the south west corner. Commenced in 1820, it has rough limestone rubble walls, and an entrance on the first level above ground, reached by steps. Both doorway and windows have pointed arches. The interior was decorated with shells, of which some remain. There is a local legend that Mrs. Watson was buried there, until later owners had her remains moved to a churchyard.

Also attached to the walls is an ornamental dairy, on the southern elevation. Begun around 1810, it has an arcade, with columns, arched openings and stained glass windows, and a shell fountain.

The Gothic-style farmyard, in the form of two courtyards to north of the main house, has dovecotes, stable ranges and pigsties. The buildings have slate roofs, limestone dressings, and timed-framed and diamond-paned windows.

The ornamental lake has an area of around 32,000 m2 (8 acre), with two islands, each featuring a folly, and a statue of Bacchus between them. There is also an ornamental Gothic boathouse dug into the side of the lake, with a single-arch to the lake, and a wrought-iron gate to the rear. By the lake are water and flower meadows. Fauna include frogs, dragonflies, wild duck and swans.

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