THE WOODED AREAS OF THE PARK
The landscape design of St. Anne's Park began when the Guinness family acquired the Thornhill House estate. In subsequent years, the estate was renamed St. Anne's and expanded to encompass nearly 500 acres.
In 1838, Benjamin Lee Guinness established his family home at St. Anne's and oversaw the construction of decorative follies throughout the estate. His son, Arthur (Lord Ardilaun), inherited the property in 1868 and, along with his wife, Lady Olive Ardilaun, further developed the house and gardens. Their work was carried out by a team of skilled gardeners who also tended to other Guinness estates, including Ashford Castle and Muckross House (now Killarney National Park).
The park is renowned for its grand avenues of mature trees, originally designed to frame the main house. The impressive East/West Avenue is lined with Holm oaks (Quercus ilex), Monterey pines (Pinus radiata), and Austrian pines (Pinus nigra). Other avenues feature yews (Taxus baccata), horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), and additional Holm oaks and Monterey pines. The extensive planting of Holm oak, chosen for its resistance to the harsh coastal winds, serves as a protective barrier along the park's boundaries and was a particular favourite of Lord Ardilaun.
The Naniken River winds through the park, its banks adorned with mature beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). Adjacent woodlands boast a mix of Holm oak, Monterey cypress, yew, and horse chestnut, alongside self-seeded wych elm (Ulmus glabra), ash, and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).
During springtime, the woodland floor is carpeted with wild garlic (Allium ursinum), Hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), lords and ladies (Arum maculatum), lesser celandines (Ficaria verna), and primroses (Primula vulgaris).
The Chestnut Meadow showcases a diverse array of wildflowers, including lesser knapweed (Centaurea nigra), field scabious (Knautia arvensis), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), bee orchid (Ophrys apifera), and the rare pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis).
The park's pond even harbours aquatic species seldom found in Dublin, such as the broad-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustrus).
In 1838, Benjamin Lee Guinness established his family home at St. Anne's and oversaw the construction of decorative follies throughout the estate. His son, Arthur (Lord Ardilaun), inherited the property in 1868 and, along with his wife, Lady Olive Ardilaun, further developed the house and gardens. Their work was carried out by a team of skilled gardeners who also tended to other Guinness estates, including Ashford Castle and Muckross House (now Killarney National Park).
The park is renowned for its grand avenues of mature trees, originally designed to frame the main house. The impressive East/West Avenue is lined with Holm oaks (Quercus ilex), Monterey pines (Pinus radiata), and Austrian pines (Pinus nigra). Other avenues feature yews (Taxus baccata), horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), and additional Holm oaks and Monterey pines. The extensive planting of Holm oak, chosen for its resistance to the harsh coastal winds, serves as a protective barrier along the park's boundaries and was a particular favourite of Lord Ardilaun.
The Naniken River winds through the park, its banks adorned with mature beech trees (Fagus sylvatica). Adjacent woodlands boast a mix of Holm oak, Monterey cypress, yew, and horse chestnut, alongside self-seeded wych elm (Ulmus glabra), ash, and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus).
During springtime, the woodland floor is carpeted with wild garlic (Allium ursinum), Hart's-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium), lords and ladies (Arum maculatum), lesser celandines (Ficaria verna), and primroses (Primula vulgaris).
The Chestnut Meadow showcases a diverse array of wildflowers, including lesser knapweed (Centaurea nigra), field scabious (Knautia arvensis), oxeye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), bee orchid (Ophrys apifera), and the rare pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis).
The park's pond even harbours aquatic species seldom found in Dublin, such as the broad-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and horned pondweed (Zannichellia palustrus).
THE WOODED AREAS OF THE PARK