Powerscourt Gardens, Glendalough & Russborough House - Ausflüge von Dublin

My first trip from Dublin was to Powerscourt Gardens, one of the largest and most beautiful parks in Ireland.

Under grey skies but at least without rain, we strolled through the diversely landscaped gardens.

From the manor house, which burned down in 1974 but has since been rebuilt, you enter the gardens and first have a view over the Italian garden, which has been laid out with a wide visual axis.

Particularly beautiful was the somewhat winding Japanese garden, which was created by the 8th Viscount of Powerscourt in 1908.

We walked back along the dolphin fountain. The 7th Viscount bought it in Paris in the late 19th century – not exactly light luggage…

A little further away from Dublin was the first destination of the second trip: Glendalough, which means “valley between two lakes” in Irish.

There is a monastery settlement from the 6th century, of which only ruins remain today.

It was founded by Saint Kevin, who, as the elder of the order, withdrew to a cave in one of the nearby mountains.

We saw the ruins of the old cathedral and buildings of the monastery complex. It was destroyed in the 16th century under Henry VIII.

The monks hid from the Vikings' attacks in the old round tower along with their greatest treasures. The rope ladder was retracted and the entrance, which was over three metres high, remained inaccessible to the looters who were only passing by for a short time.

Burials still take place in the old cemetery today.

After a walk to the two lakes we continued to Russborough.

The interior of the 18th century manor house can also be visited.

It was initially owned by the Milltown family, but was later purchased by Sir Alfred Lane Beit, 2nd Baronet, and his wife Clementine, Lady Beit, to house their extensive art collection and to live there.

The couple belonged to the European “high society” and famous personalities of the time such as Coco Chanel and Jackie Kennedy visited their lavishly organized parties.