DOWER HOUSE

White Garden

Rossanagh (Wood Of The Ford) and demesne was purchased by William Tighe c.1741. The following year, he acquired Rossanagh Lower on which The Dower House, Rossanagh was built towards the end of the eighteenth century. The Tighe family lived in this part of County Wicklow for over two hundred years and during that time had associations with many well known personalities such as poets, Thomas Moore and Mary Blachford Tighe, artists George Romney and Maria Spilsbury-Taylor and politicians Henry Grattan and William Pitt, the Younger.

The indefatigable Mrs Delany, well-known social commentator, diarist, artist and friend of Dean Jonathan Swift, commenting on Rossanagh demesne in May 1752, wrote: "It is a very pretty place... neatly kept, and capable of great improvement, which he [William Tighe] is setting about with all speed." It is interesting to note that as early as 1733, A.C. Forbes had estimated that the largest tree in Ireland was a Spanish Chestnut and was seen to be growing in the Rossanagh demesne possessing a girth of 'thirty feet at four-and-a-half-feet'. It was under this tree that Methodist preacher, the Reverend John Wesley preached during his visit to Rossanagh in June, 1789.

The Gardens: The Gardens surrounding this eighteenth century house were laid out towards the end of the nineteenth century with plantings of many fine specimens including Rhododendron Arboreum, Magnolia Soulangeana 'Alba', and Camellia Japonica. Also included are a number of specimen mature trees, including a fine Chilean myrtle, Luma Apiculata, planted c. 1880 and believed to have come from Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny. There is also a wild flower meadow which is at its best towards the end of June beginning of July.

When the Butler family acquired the property, a formal white garden in a sheltered enclosure behind the house was added together with box hedging and a small garden house. At its peak in June, when the white roses are in bloom, this 'quietly elegant garden' is a shimmering mass of snowy blossom and silvery foliage and was described by Jane Powers, gardening correspondent, Irish Times as one of Wicklow's finest gardens (Irish Times Magazine, 'Garden County') The gardens are open each year during the Wicklow Gardens Festival (June and July) in aid of GOAL.

We are delighted that people enjoy visiting the gardens and sharing them with us. The income which we receive from visitors makes a vital contribution towards the work carried out by third world organisation, GOAL. This is an international humanitarian organisation founded by John O'Shea and four friends, which works towards ensuring that the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental needs and rights of life, i.e. food, water, shelter, medical attention and primary education. It is non-denominational, non-governmental and non-political.

Directions: Travelling south on N11, take the Rathnew/Wicklow Town exit. Before entering Rathnew village take the turn on the left (R761) and continue for approximately half a mile. Entrance is on the left before Hunters Hotel and Newrath Bridge. Travelling north on N11 take the Ashford/Rathnew exit and follow signs for Rathnew. From here on, same directions apply for travelling on N11, please see above.

Open: Bank Holidays during June & July 2.30 – 5pm. Open during June on Sundays 2.30 – 5pm (no appointment necessary). Other times by appointment throughout June and July. OPEN DAY 27th JUNE, 2.30 - 5pm.

Admission: €5 per person

Charity Sponsored: Irish Cancer Society, GOAL

Facilities: Wheelchair Accessible, Coach Parking, Guide Dogs Welcome, Car Parking

GPS Coordinates: N 53 00.179 W 6 05.155