Strokestown Park, the Irish National Famine Museum, is a unique visitor attraction in Strokestown. Co Roscommon in The West of Ireland comprising of Strokestown Park House, a Georgian Palladian mansion preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics, which can be seen daily by guided tour. The House was the family home of the Packenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th century castle, home of The O Conor Roe Gaelic Chieftains. The Landlord Major Denis Mahon was assassinated in November 1847 at the height of The Great Famine of Ireland and it is fitting that The Irish National Famine Museum was established at Strokestown Park in 1994 using the unique original documents which came to light during the restoration of The House.
The six acre walled pleasure gardens have been restored to their original splendour and give an insight into horticultural design and architecture from the 1740's to the present day. Henry Packenham was an avid gardener and travelled extensively, gathering plants and seeds from around the world. Many of these exotic plant specimens can be seen growing in the walled gardens today. The walled gardens include features such as the herbaceous border, the fernery, the lilly pond, the Victorian rose garden, pergola, peach house, vinery, fruit and vegetable garden and herb garden to name but a few.
Strokestown Park is a must see attraction. A tour of The House gives an intimate insight into life in The Big House, upstairs and downstairs. The Irish National Famine Museum tells a different story and highlights the parallels between a tragic chapter of Irish History and contemporary global hunger. The Walled gardens and Woodlands take you back again to the glorious surroundings of a planned Georgian estate. Within a short time the visitor has been brought on a journey through Irish History, the good and the bad, from Ireland in the 1600's, right up to the present day.
Contact:
Strokestown,
Co. Roscommon,
Ireland
+353 (0)71 9633013
