Doneraile Wildlife Park

The Park comprises approximately 166 hectares and is an outstanding example of an 18th century landscaped park in the 'Capability Brown' style. Mature groves of deciduous trees, several restored water features and a number of deer herds can be viewed along the many pathways within the Park. The pathways are generally accessible for people with special needs.
This walled park, extending over more than 400 acres and bisected by the Awbeg River has formal gardens, sweeping parkland vistas, groves of ancient trees, river cascades and lakes, deer and cattle herds and a profusion of wildlife and plants. Doneraile is a small rural town but it has a public park that would be the envy of any large city.

Looking any direction from the house there are vistas that appear to have occurred naturally, with undulating stretches of grass interspersed with groves of trees, lakes, rivers, bridges and water features.Of course these didn’t occur naturally at all but are the result of careful planning and planting over many years and required extensive diversions of water with man made weirs to create and maintain the pleasing views. By the early 1900s there was a small army of over 90 gardeners employed to maintain the park and gardens. In addition to the parkland smaller gardens were created, for ornamental purposes and to supply the kitchen. A laneway with high walls on both sides leads from the house to the now restored Parterre Garden with its carefully trimmed box hedges and lovely gardener’s cottages.