History of the estate National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh|
Last updated: September 19, 2011 Located in east County Wicklow,
Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens is the centrepiece of an 18th
century estate that once covered over 5000 acres (2000 ha). Seat
of the Acton family for three centuries, it is now an outpost of
the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. The milder climate,
higher rainfall and deeper, acidic soils of this historic
Wicklow garden, provide a counterpoint to the collections at
Glasnevin. The association of Kilmacurragh with the National
Botanic Gardens began in 1854, when Thomas Acton inherited the
estate and greatly benefited from the advice and support of Dr.
David Moore and his son Sir Frederick Moore, Curators of the
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin in Dublin. In 1996, a 52
acre (21 ha) portion of the old demesne comprising the house,
arboretum, entrance drive and woodlands officially became part
of the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland. By then the house
was in ruins due to a series of