'Devonshire Day' at Lismore Castle March 20th 2016

Cream Tea for all on 'Devonshire Day' at Lismore Castle

Devonshire cream Tea will be served during the 'Devonshire Day' this year on Sunday, March 20th 2016 at Lismore Castle in county Waterford.

Guests to the castle on the day can take a unique opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea in the Pugin Room and experience a preview tour of Lismore Castle's Spring Gardens.

Devonshire Day is now an annual traditional at the Castle; guests are served Devonshire Cream Tea by the Duke of Devonshire's Butler and are then offered a guided tour of the Castle gardens under the expert guidance of the Head Gardener an opportunity not normally available to visitors.

Devonshire Day is a fundraiser organised by the 'Immrama Festival of Travel Writing' committee. The Immrama Festival takes place this year for the eleventh year in Lismore from June 16th to 19th 2016.

Tea and tours take place at 11.30 a.m., 12.40 p.m., 1.50 p.m., 3.00 p.m. and 4.10 p.m. Entrance is by ticket only. Tickets are available from the Immrama office and Lismore Heritage Centre  and cost €20.00. For further enquiries and bookings contact 058-53803 or 058-54975 or see facebook.com/lismoreimmrama

Garden Highlights
The Lower Garden was formerly known as the Pleasure Grounds and is spectacular in the Spring Time. A number of camellia, rhododendron's and some particularly magnificent magnolias can be found here. There has been extensive planting over the last number of years and the gardens are being constantly refined and improved. The walls surrounding the garden date from the early 18th century and have been planted with roses such as Francis E, Lester, Bobbie James, Rambling Rector to name but a few. The Lower Garden also boasts some spectacular sculptures by well-known artists Eilis O'Connell, Anthony Gormley and Marzia Colonna.

The Upper Garden is one of the few Jacobean gardens to survive in anything like its original form. The first Earl of Cork helped by his gardener John built a high surrounding wall and a raised terrace terminated at either end by turrets. The Central Walk, which is between the herbaceous borders, is backed by yew hedges and was laid in dramatic alignment on the Pain spire of the Anglican Cathedral. The hedges provide a suitable background for the herbaceous borders as one walks towards the top terrace. Located here are some artistic works by Bridget McCrum, Simon Thomas, Emily Young and Edwin Whitney Smith.