Randalstown Road, Antrim, Co. Antrim, BT41
Phone : +44 (0) 28 9442 8000
These formal Anglo-Duch gardens in late seventeenth century style are unique in Ulster . They have recently been carefully restored and lie within the old demesne of Antrim Castle, of which only a single tower remains . Formal walks are lined with hedges of hornbeam and yew of a height rarely seen today, rising to more than 20ft in some cases . Some walks focus on formal water features such as the Round Pond and the T-shaped Canal, yet others on a formal parterre garden, yet others on an earthen mound which has a spiral path running up it .
During a grand ball held at Antrim Castle on 28th October 1922 a fire swept through the castle destroying everything in its path. The townspeople fought hard to save the castle but to no avail . To everyones horror a figure was spied at an upper window in the blazing castle. A servant, 22 year old Miss Ethel Gilligan of Westmeath, was trapped in her room. A courageous local man rescued her but the severely burned girl died of her injuries on the lawn below. Over the years her ghost has been seen dressed in white throughout the Castle Gardens, particularly by courting couples .
Open Mon - Fri 9.30am - 9.30pm, Sat 10am - 5pm, Sun 2 - 5pm.
Entrance charge for groups (includes guided tour).
See Clotworthy House entry also. |