Every now and then we wonder how the grass used to be greener, people had more money and time, architecture used to be more artistic, our toys used to have more character....Oh, those were the days!
On these moments you either take a trip down memory lane, lying on your bed and sorrowing, or, if you're lucky and well located – find a place where this all still exists.
For me, luck and location were on my side even without that surtain feeling of blues.
A dear friend was visiting Dublin, so in order to entertain, I once again took a trip down to Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow (Ireland :) ). The weather blessed us with some gorgeous sunshine and warm breeze so nothing seemed like a better idea than to escape the city for the day.
If you don't have a car, no worries, a very convenient Dublin Bus route (no 44) takes you through the city right to Enniskerry in 45 minutes, where Powerscourt Gardens are just a walk away. You'll be walking for about 40 minutes (including time to take photos of the gorgeous view, the unbelievably high trees or the funnily strict prohibiting signs saying things like No Picnics on Avenue etc) on a beautiful avenue leading you to the mansion.
At first I thought we'd only be having a stroll in the gardens, breathing in all the smells from hundreds of different plants and flowers going mad in blooms.. I was hugely and indeed childish how merry and happy when almost by accident discovered that the Museum of Childhood has moved into Powerscourt Estate!! I first saw Tara's Palace about five years ago when it was in Malahide. I was so stunned I could not leave the place for quite a while, it was a paradise only one who is fascinated of the miniature world of dolls houses would understand in full scale. But, nevertheless, the style, the effort, the attention to detail should be a few of many reasons to go and visit the museum. Not to mention – when with kids...
We had to leave magical world of tiny things behind us and move on to the grandiose part of our day. The Powerscourt Gardens. It's a lovely walk through different gardens, Italian and Japanese ones included to the list. In Japanese Garden you'll be stunned by the tiny streams, the bridges across them, the beautiful plants and flowers and the odor they give.. It seems like it's a terrible but cute mess in a strict order, a funny way to describe a garden but seems accurate in this matter. :)
When leaving the Japanese Garden, stop at the Triton Lake to admire the view to the estate. It is just almost unbearable that this used to be someones home! Do check the fountain as well..
At the Pet Cemetery you'll find a good number of graves for the family dogs, ponies or even exceptionally good dairy cows!
The walk then carries you by the small Dolphin Pond and into the Walled Gardens where you'll be stunned by all the smells of the hundreds of plants and flowers.
There's a lot to explore, see and smell. If you're lucky with the weather too it is one of the most spectacular places to be. If you're only visiting Ireland for a few days and don't have the time to go far away from Dublin, Powerscourt is definitely one of the Must Go destinations.
And – before you step on the bus to go back to Dublin, step in to Poppies to enjoy a cup of coffee and for example, a gorgeous mouth watering rhubarb crumble! ;)
Enjoy the magic!
On these moments you either take a trip down memory lane, lying on your bed and sorrowing, or, if you're lucky and well located – find a place where this all still exists.
For me, luck and location were on my side even without that surtain feeling of blues.
A dear friend was visiting Dublin, so in order to entertain, I once again took a trip down to Powerscourt Estate in Enniskerry, Co Wicklow (Ireland :) ). The weather blessed us with some gorgeous sunshine and warm breeze so nothing seemed like a better idea than to escape the city for the day.
If you don't have a car, no worries, a very convenient Dublin Bus route (no 44) takes you through the city right to Enniskerry in 45 minutes, where Powerscourt Gardens are just a walk away. You'll be walking for about 40 minutes (including time to take photos of the gorgeous view, the unbelievably high trees or the funnily strict prohibiting signs saying things like No Picnics on Avenue etc) on a beautiful avenue leading you to the mansion.
At first I thought we'd only be having a stroll in the gardens, breathing in all the smells from hundreds of different plants and flowers going mad in blooms.. I was hugely and indeed childish how merry and happy when almost by accident discovered that the Museum of Childhood has moved into Powerscourt Estate!! I first saw Tara's Palace about five years ago when it was in Malahide. I was so stunned I could not leave the place for quite a while, it was a paradise only one who is fascinated of the miniature world of dolls houses would understand in full scale. But, nevertheless, the style, the effort, the attention to detail should be a few of many reasons to go and visit the museum. Not to mention – when with kids...
We had to leave magical world of tiny things behind us and move on to the grandiose part of our day. The Powerscourt Gardens. It's a lovely walk through different gardens, Italian and Japanese ones included to the list. In Japanese Garden you'll be stunned by the tiny streams, the bridges across them, the beautiful plants and flowers and the odor they give.. It seems like it's a terrible but cute mess in a strict order, a funny way to describe a garden but seems accurate in this matter. :)
When leaving the Japanese Garden, stop at the Triton Lake to admire the view to the estate. It is just almost unbearable that this used to be someones home! Do check the fountain as well..
At the Pet Cemetery you'll find a good number of graves for the family dogs, ponies or even exceptionally good dairy cows!
The walk then carries you by the small Dolphin Pond and into the Walled Gardens where you'll be stunned by all the smells of the hundreds of plants and flowers.
There's a lot to explore, see and smell. If you're lucky with the weather too it is one of the most spectacular places to be. If you're only visiting Ireland for a few days and don't have the time to go far away from Dublin, Powerscourt is definitely one of the Must Go destinations.
And – before you step on the bus to go back to Dublin, step in to Poppies to enjoy a cup of coffee and for example, a gorgeous mouth watering rhubarb crumble! ;)
Enjoy the magic!