Page 139 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

SOUTHEAST IRELAND  137

Bray’s beachfront esplanade, with Bray Head in the background
National Gallery in Dublin (see is scope for brac ing cliffside was remodelled in an Eliza-
pp74–5). A self-guided interactive walks. Bray also makes a good bethan Revival style in the
exhibition in the basement base from which to explore early 19th century. The house
includes 3-D photographs taken Powerscourt Gar dens, the contains some good carving
by Sir Alfred Beit in the 1920s Wicklow Moun tains and the and stuccowork, but the real
and 1930s, as well as a selection coastal villages of Killiney and charm of Killruddery lies in the
of vinyl records and sheet music Dalkey in Dublin (see p107). 17th-century formal gardens,
from the 1920s. regarded as the finest French
The west wing of the building Classical gardens in the
was fully restored following a fire 9 Killruddery country. They were laid out
in 2010, and eight double House and Gardens in the 1680s by a French
bed-rooms are now available gardener named Bonet, who
to rent. Bookings can be made Road map D4. Bray, Co Wicklow. also worked at Versailles.
through the Irish Landmark Trust Tel 01 286 3405. House: Open Jul– The gardens, planted with
(www.irishlandmark.com). Sep: 1–4pm daily. & Gardens: Open great precision, feature rom antic
1 May–30 Sep: 9:30am–6pm daily; parterres, hedges and many fine
Oct & Apr: 9:30am–6pm Sat & Sun.
Environs Farmer’s Market: Open 10am–4pm trees and shrubs. The sylvan
The Poulaphouca Reservoir, Sat. & 8 outside main opening theatre, a small enclosure
which was formed by the times, groups of 20–50 by appt only. surrounded by a bay hedge, is
damming of the River Liffey, 7 limited. - ∑ killruddery.com the only known example of its
extends south from Blessington. kind in Ireland.
It is popular with water sports Killruddery House lies just The Long Ponds, a pair of canals
enthusiasts, while others enjoy to the south of Bray, in the which extend 165 m (542 ft),
the mountain views. shadow of Little Sugar Loaf once stocked fish. Beyond, a pool
Mountain. Built in 1651, it has enclosed by two circular hedges
been the family seat of the leads to a Victorian arrangement
7 Powerscourt Earls of Meath ever since, of paths flanked by statues and
although the original mansion hedges of yew, beech and lime.
See pp138–9.
8 Bray
Road map D4. Co Wicklow.
* 33,000. £ DART. @ n Old
Court House, Main St (01 286 7128).
∑ bray.ie
Once a refined Victorian resort,
Bray is nowadays a brash holi-
day town, with amusement
arcades and fish and chip shops
lining the sea front. Its beach
attracts large crowds in summer,
including many young families.
A more peace ful alter native is
nearby Bray Head, where there View across the Long Ponds to Killruddery House

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