Huntington Castle & Gardens
A 17th-century castle at the very start of the Wicklow Way in the village of Clonegal. Home to the Durdin-Robertson family for 400 years — and also the headquarters of the Fellowship of Isis, a worldwide goddess-spirituality movement.
The castle
Built in 1625 by Sir Laurence Esmonde on the site of a Franciscan monastery. Still a family home, so tours are intimate, often led by a family member. Features include a secret passage, original tapestries, family portraits stretching back four centuries, and a temple to Isis in the basement — the Fellowship of Isis has been based at Huntington since 1976.
Gardens
17 acres of formal and informal gardens. The Yew Walk is one of the oldest in Ireland (planted around 1680). A lime avenue, Italian statuary, a small ornamental lake, and one of Ireland's best bluebell displays in late April.
Admission & hours
Castle tours around €10, gardens-only €5. Open Easter to September, Thursday to Sunday. The café and gift shop are in the old stables.
Official website: huntingtoncastle.com