Strokestown Park House And Gardens
Strokestown Park is a unique visitor attraction in Strokestown. Co Roscommon in The West of Ireland comprising of Strokestown Park House, a Georgian Palladian mansion preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics, which can be seen daily by guided tour. The House was the family home of the Packenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th century castle, home of The O Conor Roe Gaelic Chieftains.
The 4 acre 16h century walled pleasure gard has been fully restored to its’ original splendour.It’s piece de resistance is its’ herbaceous border which is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest herbaceous border in Britain and Ireland.
Strokestown Park is a must see attraction, whether for individuals, families, educational groups or coach tours. A tour of The House gives an intimate insight into life in The Big House, upstairs and downstairs. The Irish National Famine Museum tells a different story and highlights the parallels between a tragic chapter of Irish History and contemporary global hunger. The Walled gardens and Woodlands take you back again to the glorious surroundings of a planned Georgian estate. Within a short time the visitor has been brought on a journey through Irish History, the good and the bad, from Ireland in the 1600’s, right up to the present day.
The Irish National Famine Museum
The Great Famine of Ireland and it is fitting that The Irish National Famine Museum was established at Strokestown Park in 1994 using the unique original documents which came to light during the restoration of The House . The Great Irish famine of the 1840′s is now regarded as the single greatest social disaster of 19th century Europe. Between 1845 and 1850, when blight devastated the potato crop, in excess of two million people – almost one-quarter of the entire population – either died or emigrated. The Famine Museum is located in the original Stable Yards of Strokestown Park House. It was designed to commemorate the history of the famine of Ireland and in some way to balance the history of the ‘Big House’.
Strokestown Learning Zone For Schools
This resource supports teachers and students using Strokestown Park to create rich learning opportunities through enquiry and exploration.
It is designed as an easy to use learning tool for Transition Year and Leaving Certificate programmes that offers ways to extend learning experiences through first hand contact with Ireland’s history and heritage.
There are three elements to this resource to help you gain the most from a visit to Strokestown:
- Teacher’s page
- Resource Gallery
- WebQuests
If you would like to book a visit to Strokestown Park please telephone them on 071 9633013 or email [email protected] to outline your requirements. They will then plan the details of your visit.
Strokestown Park Opening Times
They are now open all year round and 7 Days a Week 10.30 to 17.30.
Daily guided tour of Strokestown Park House at 12:00, 14:30 and 16:00.
For enquiries please telephone 071 9633013.
