The importance of historic gardens in Ireland is often overlooked and sadly many have disappeared beneath housing estates and golf courses leaving only the historic house on a small stamp of ground. The setting of houses in historic estates should almost be considered as significant as the house itself and the original builders carefully considered the landscape. Such was the importance of the landscape that instances have been recorded of houses being knocked down and rebuilt in different locations to take full advantage of their setting.

The land surrounding the house retained for use by a landlord which typically included the outbuildings, drives, gate lodges, follies, walled gardens, parkland and woodland  is known as the demense and was often encircled by stone boundary walls. During the 17th and very early 18th century formal geometric landscape designs were popular. These gardens had straight tree lined approach avenue to the main house, allees, parterres and formal gardens similar to those in the Palace of Versailles. In the early 18th century, a landscape design developed in England, known as English landscape style of which Capability Brown was the most famous exponent. The style spread to Ireland and was popular throughout the country between 1760 and 1840. This style based on the idealised conception of the English countryside was composed of rolling parkland, meandering rivers and woodland, the fundamental elements of lawn, water and wood. Contrary to their naturalistic appearance, huge construction works were undertaken to create these landscapes, earth moved, rivers realigned and mature trees replanted. Vistas and views were carefully considered in the landscape design. 

Interesting features that still survive in some historic demesne include:

Deer parks:  enclosed areas of rough grazing and woodland, popular in the 18^th century and used to provide fresh meat to the kitchens

Walled gardens: tall walls, often bricklined, that enclosed the productive gardens that provided fresh fruit and vegetables for the kitchens. Heated walls and glass house facilitated cultivation year round and exotic fruit such as pineapples are even believed to have been grown in Ireland in the 19^th century.

Follies: structures with no apparent purpose that provide visual interest on a landscape

Icehouses: underground chambers in which ice was stored during the summer months

Sunken service routes: paths around the demesne at a level beneath the surrounding ground that servants used.  Servants doing their daily work could therefore not be seen from the house and spoil the view.

There are over 6,000 designed landscapes in Ireland and fortunately many are open to the public. To fully appreciate their beauty, consider a visit to one. Heritage recommends Malahide Castle, in north County Dublin, Powerscourt House in Co. Wicklow, Belvedere House in Co. Westmeath and Fota House in Co. Cork as some of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland.