Explore the Statuary
The Viscounts of Powerscourt were great travellers, adventuring across Europe and bringing back treasures to enhance the gardens. From original works to commissioned replicas, you’ll encounter lots of enchanting artworks carefully placed across the gardens.
One of the most striking features of The Italian Garden is the pair of life-sized winged Pegasus Horses which watch over Triton Lake. These key figures of Greek mythology are creators of springs and carriers of Zeus’ thunderbolts among many other tales. They are made of zinc and form part of the family coat of arms. They were created by Professor Hugo Hagen in Berlin in 1869. The fountain in this dramatic lake is based on the fountain in the Piazza Barberini in Rome.
Situated in The Italian Garden, these winged figures were created for the 7th Viscount in 1866 by Professor Hugo Hagen of Berlin from the design of the great German sculptor Rauch.
These are two bronze copies of the well-known statues found at Herculaneum. They were bought into The Italian Garden by the 7th Viscount at Naples in 1883 from Massulli, a sculptor who specialised in bronze.
Similar to sculptures at Versailles, the bronze group of children you’ll meet in The Italian Garden are of French design and the work of Marin. The two vases on each side, with Cupids facing each other, were bought at St. Petersburg.
The Italian Garden is also home to a piece by the Swedish sculptor Molin. It represents two men who had won the affection of the same lady and were fastened together with a strap to fight it out with daggers! This is a copy of the original which stands in front of the palace at Stockholm.
This fountain, situated in The Italian Garden, was designed by Mr. Francis Penrose, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. It features the figures of Eolus and the head of Apollo and was inspired by Lord Powerscourt’s visits to Rome. On it is inscribed the motto “Horas non numero nisi serenas” or “I count only the sunny hours.”
These are two grand bronze figures of Aeolus and are a 17th century Italian work. They were part of a fountain group at the Palais Royal in Paris. They were sold by Christie’s of London to the 7th Viscount in 1872 and moved to their current home in The Italian Garden.
The statues of Apollo Belvedere and Diana on the upper terraces of The Italian Garden were bought in Rome by the 6th Viscount of Powerscourt.
The Laocoön is an enormous piece of sculpture based on a Greek legend. It was brought from Rome by the 6th Viscount to its current situation at the Chorus Gate in The Italian Garden. It stands on a single piece of granite which was quarried in Glencree. It took two weeks to move this on wooden rollers from Glencree to Powerscourt, with the Head Gardener at the time, Alexander Robertson seated on top issuing instructions!
This memorial garden to Julia, the widow of the 7th Viscount Powerscourt, was designed by her son in 1931 and resides in The Walled Garden. The four busts are those of the four great Italian masters; Michael Angelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Benvenuto Cellini. These are copies of those at the Vatican and the work of Alexander McDonald completed in Rome in 1878
The Dolphin Pond gets its name from the central fountain which has a jet and dolphins spouting water up to 5 metres. It was brought from Paris by the 7th Viscount in the late 19th century. Located beside the Pet Cemetary, it was once known as “The Green Pond” and is one of the oldest parts of Powerscourt Gardens, even appearing on a 1740 map of the estate as a fishpond.
These are two bronze copies of the well-known statues found at Herculaneum. They were bought by the 7th Viscount in Naples in 1883 from the sculptor Massulli.
Explore the Gates
The Viscounts of Powerscourt truly enjoyed travelling throughout Europe, selecting original pieces of work and commissioning replicas to bring an international flavour to the gardens. Enjoy stunning gates collected arcoss Europe on your visit to Powerscourt Gardens.
The Chorus Gate
The Chorus Gate was made from a copy of a 17th century German gate, and purchased in London for this position. Note the musical insignia on its intricate ironwork.
Located at the entrance to the Walled Garden.
The 240 year old ‘Bamberg Gate’ came from the Cathedral at Bamberg in Germany. The 7th Viscount bought this from Mr. Pratt, a curiosity dealer in London. Admire its intricate ironwork and interesting perspective, designed to create the illusion of a longer garden beyond it.
This double gate is of Italian Design and was made by Moise dall Torre at Venice. In the words of Lord Powerscourt its design includes a grapevine pattern to be “suitable to the entrance of a garden” and was erected in 1900. The vases on the stone piers are made of Capo d’Istria stone.
Located at the entrance to the Herbaceous Border.
The English Gate leads the way to the Dolphin Pond and the Pet’s Cemetery. This beautiful gate was brought from England in 1873 and if you look closely you can see rose, thistle and shamrock motifs. These are the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Located at the Dolphin Pond
Sustainability & Biodiversity
The long-term overarching mission at Powerscourt Estate is to be recognised on a global stage for our sustainability initiatives, and to be Net Zero by 2025.