Mr. Brian Hayes, TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) was in Co. Laois today to view new developments at Emo Court and Heywood Gardens, two of the OPW’s premier historic properties. The Minister inspected the construction works underway on the new circular lake and woodland walkway in Emo Court and also viewed works in progress on the new bus and car park at Heywood Gardens.
Minister Hayes said, “I’m very pleased with progress to date on the Emo Court walkway. The plan is ambitious and when finished, will enable visitors to take in the fantastic views of the 18th century, James Gandon designed, parkland and house. We in OPW are proud to manage Emo on behalf of the State and have made considerable improvements in the recent past, including a new tearoom and the permanent exhibition of the Fr. Browne photographs.”
Speaking at Heywood Gardens later that day Minister Hayes said, “It is always a pleasure to visit Heywood Gardens at any time of year, so I’m particularly pleased to see progress on the new bus and car parking facilities here today. These new amenities will greatly enhance the visitor’s experience by guiding them through the 18th century romantic landscape, replete with man-made lakes, woodland pathways and follies, before leading to the famous Edwin Lutyens designed gardens. As in many other historic properties all over Ireland, the OPW has made a considerable investment into Heywood Gardens so that it might reach its full potential as a tourism and recreation attraction.”
Note to Editors:
Emo Court, Emo, Co. Laois
Emo Court was designed by the architect James Gandon in 1790 for the Earls of Portarlington and is a magnificent example of this neo-classical style. In the mid-20th century it was owned by the Jesuits and was subsequently acquired by Mr. Cholmeley-Harrison in the 1960’s. The house and gardens were taken into State ownership in 1994. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland which were first laid out in the 18th century and contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks with many very fine trees and shrubs. Location: 2.5km from Emo (accessed from Kildare-Portlaoise Road – N7).
Opening Hours: House – Easter/30th March to 22nd September: daily 10.00 to 18.00. Last admission one hour before closing. Gardens open all year during daylight hours.
Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, Co. Laois
Heywood Gardens was transferred by the Salesian Fathers into State ownership in November 1993. The formal gardens form the centrepiece of the property and were designed by the famous architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. It is one of four gardens designed by Lutyens in Ireland: the others being in the War Memorial Park, Lambay Island and Howth Castle. Location: 7km southeast from Abbeyleix, off R432 Ballinakill, in the grounds of Heywood Community School.
Opening hours: May – August 08.30 to 21.00, April & September 08.30 to 19.00 and October to March 08.30 to 17.30.