The Rustic Grotto was a feature to link the main house down the slope from the grand terrace walk to the seafront. It provided a viewing point at an intersection of paths. It is comprised of several types of local stone, including Howth stone, and porphyry stone.
The manner in which the Rustic Grotto provides vistas from cave-like vantages towards water is reminiscent of those of 18th Century English gardens, such as Stourhead, inspired by Alexander Pope and based on allusions to classical Roman grottoes to Venus.
