The entrance to the castle is from within the heart of the quaint village of Clonegal via a long impressive avenue, built in the 1680s, lined with mature Lime Trees. The focal point at the end of the avenue is the Huntington Castle itself. When I visited in late May, the avenue was covered in bluebells, a beautiful, peaceful sight.

The grounds and this Parterre garden was designed by John Murphy in 1880 with many plants sourced from Kew Gardens in London. The layout is Geometric French Style based on symmetry, playing on interplay between formal and informal garden elements while putting order on nature. This type of garden was fashionable in the 17th century.

These elements of the wilderness woodland garden is divided by a hard core covered pathway to the east, leading to the edge of the River Derry.  There are further paths circumnavigating each area of these wild spaces from where you can explore with ease the absolute beauty of mature woodland and enjoy nature and wildlife and all that it brings with it. There are water ponds providing refuge for aquatic nature and drink for birds and mammals that flourish here.

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Immediately to the eastern side of the castle is the formal garden with Yew, manicured lawns and a fountain. There is a strategically placed seat under the bows of a weeping ash tree from where you may allow your imagination to wonder and reminisce a little.

From here, you join the main path that that travels down the center of the garden. Immediately to the east (your left) of this pathway there is the Yew Tree Walk, which may be accessed from the formal garden directly, thought to have been laid over 500 years ago, provides a naturally covered walkway under the overhanging Yew Tree branches. A cool haven!

I then wondered into the “Wilderness Woodland Garden” area developed in the 17^th Century. The floor was covered in blankets od Bluebells, the undergrowth easily accessible and wondered among magnificent Heritage trees. A cluster of 150 year old Red Cedar and Japanese Cedars in the Druids Grove, towering 50 or 60 feet I’m guessing. Then the 17^th Century stew Ponds, water fed directly from the river Derry, and more woodland. Stew Ponds were a medieval name for a fish pond used to store fish alive ready to be caught when needed. At the end of the path is the Lake, and beyond the lake is the River Derry.

I followed the path around the lake. A perfect habitat for the water hens and coots. I can only imagine in the summer months, the insects and the hovering dragonflies. Toward the end of the lake was a small hut, now in ruin with some machinery in in it. When I enquired about it, it turns out this was the electricity generator for the castle, a water turbine installed in 1888., and driven from water from the river. Near the Turbine Hut, in an area called “The Inch”, is a Giant Fir, Yew, champion Cypress and Hemlock trees.