Garden & Outbuildings: Positioned on the banks of River Slaney, with views of the Blackstairs Mountains, Altamont is considered the jewel in Ireland’s gardening crown. The garden is an enchanting blend of formal and informal, large outcroppings of stone, and riverside walks. In 1923 Fielding Lecky-Watson purchased the ancient garden at Altamont. He expanded and updated the garden, paying particular attention to rhododendrons, planting hundreds of varieties from around the world. The garden is also home to 500-year-old oaks, a Wellingtonia (a giant redwood, planted to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo), and a variety of azaleas, magnolias, wild bluebells, and snowdrops (over 100 named varieties of snowdrops were planted here in the 20th century). Following Fielding’s death in 1943, his daughter, Corona North, continued her father’s horticultural work. When Corona died in 1999, the 100-acre garden was left to the government, who maintain and open it to the public under the stewardship of the Office of Public Works.

House Listed: Unknown

Park Listed: Unknown

Past Seat / Home of: St. George family, 18th century. Benjamin Burton Doyle, 1780s. Dawson-Borrer family, 19th century. Fielding Lecky-Watson, 1923-43. Corona North, 1943-99.

Current Ownership Type: Office of Public Works

Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

House Open to Public: Grounds Only

Phone: 353599-159-444

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.heritageireland.ie

Historic Houses Member: No