Shankill Castle & Gardens

Shankill Castle started as a Bulter tower-house near the ruins of an old church. In 1708 it was rebuilt and set in a formal landscape, vista to the front and canal to the rear by Peter Alyward who had bought the lands from his wife's family. In the 19th century, it was enlarged and castellated, serpentine bays added to the canal and an unusual polyhedral sundial given pride of place on a sunken lawn. A gothic porch bearing the Alyward crest and a delightful conservatory were other additions. The stable-yard and the castellated entrance to the demesne are attributed to Daniel Robertson.

In the garden there are remnants of 18th century lime allées, 19th century laurel lawns, some Victorian favourites such as the now gigantic Sequoias and 20th century, self-sown ash trees. The moated garden, once a rose garden then forgotten and planted with Sitka spruces is now a spring garden, and the graveyard blooms all year round. The walled garden has a charming apple arch under-planted with red tulips; and some antique goblet-shaped pear trees trained against a mellow brick wall.

Since 1991 Shankill Castle is home and studio to the artist Elizabeth Cope, whose paintings are on display.

Situated	Near the N9-N10 junction at Paulstown (Whitehall) 12 miles from Carlow, 10 miles from Kilkenny
Open	Every Sunday, June-August, 14.00-17.00 Other times and groups by appointment
Admission	Castle and Gardens €10 Gardens €5
Facilities	Toilets. Teas for groups by prior arrangement. Studio open by request.
Contact	Geoffrey Cope, Shankill Castle & Gardens, Paulstown (Whitehall), Co. Kilkenny Tel/Fax: +353 59 972 6145