Altamont House

What is Altamont House?

Altamont House is a country house surrounded by 100 acres of gardens on the banks of the River Slaney. Visitors find a mix of formal and informal planting, including a bog garden, arboretum, and an ice age glen. The gardens are home to rare rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, wild bluebells, snowdrops, and ancient oaks. There are views of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains, and a giant redwood planted to mark the Battle of Waterloo.

The history of Altamont House

The house's early history is unclear, with some suggesting it began as a convent in the 16th century. The main part of the house dates from the 18th century, with later changes by the St George family. In the 1840s, the Dawson Borrer family added a lake during the Irish famine. Feilding Lecky Watson bought the estate in 1923 and expanded the gardens, focusing on rhododendrons. His daughter, Corona North, continued this work. A trust was set up in the 1990s, and the Irish State now owns and manages the property.

What there is to see

The gardens were shaped over centuries, with each owner adding new features. The Robinsonian style blends formal and wild plantings. The lake, dug in the 1840s, and the arboretum with its rare trees, were later additions. Rhododendrons and other rare plants were sourced from around the world, often through exchanges with other gardens. The grounds include habitats for wildlife, ancient trees, and seasonal displays of bluebells and snowdrops.

When to go

Altamont House and its gardens are open to visitors as a heritage site. People come to walk the varied landscapes, see rare and historic plants, and enjoy views of the surrounding mountains. The gardens are especially noted for their spring displays of bluebells and snowdrops, as well as the collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. The site is maintained for public enjoyment and conservation.

Parts and collections

The gardens feature a range of rare and notable plants, especially rhododendrons and azaleas collected from around the world. There are also ancient oaks, magnolias, and a giant redwood. The grounds include different environments such as a bog garden, ice age glen, and arboretum, each supporting different plant varieties.

Why Altamont House matters

Altamont House is considered a highlight of Irish gardening, often called 'the jewel in Ireland's gardening crown.' The giant redwood commemorates the Battle of Waterloo. The estate's preservation by trust and transfer to state ownership reflect its cultural and horticultural value. It is listed among notable country houses and tourist attractions in Ireland.

The flowers of Altamont House

RhododendronA vast group of shrubs and trees with showy blooms in many coloursSnowdropWhite bell-shaped flowers that bloom at the end of winterCommon rhododendronA dense evergreen shrub with violet-purple flowers from Europe and the CaucasusRhododendron aureumA low evergreen shrub with pale yellow spring flowers from northeastern AsiaMagnolia sieboldiiA summer-blooming magnolia with white, cup-shaped flowers from East AsiaRhododendron molleA yellow-flowered deciduous azalea from China and JapanRhododendron simsiiA shrub from East Asia with flowers in shades from white to deep redMagnolia liliifloraA small Chinese magnolia with large pink-purple spring flowers

Questions people ask about Altamont House

Good reading and sources

• Altamont House on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data