Direction Ireland

Emo Court and Gardens

Midlands Ireland | County Laois

Emo Court it's neo- classical mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and parkland located near Portlaoise in County Laois. House was designed by famous architect James Gandon (architect of "Four Courts", "Custom House" and "King's Inns" in Dublin) in 1790 for John Dawson, the first Earl of Portarlington. When Dawson-Damer family have left the residency in 1920 it fell into decline. In 1930 Emo Court passed into the possession of the Order of Jesuits and was used it as a seminary. In 1960's Jesuits sold property to Mr Cholmeley-Harrison who over the years restored the house to more than its former glory. From 1994 Emo Court is owned and managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Gardens and parkland were laid out in the 19th century and contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks. Whole area covers the 250 acres and contains number of impresive trees such as Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), the Bhutan Pine, the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron Tulipefera) the Handkerchief Tree (Davidia involucrata), the Blue Atlas Cedar, the Cedar of Lebanon, the Walnut tree and Spanish chestnut. Emo is located about 13km northeast of Portlaoise, just off the R422, 2km west of the M7.

• OPENING HOURS :
  • HOUSE (2nd April - 23rd September):
    • Daily: 10am - 6pm
    • Last admission: 5pm
  • GARDENS (open all year):
    • Daily: during daylight hours
• TICKET PRICES :
  • HOUSE:
    • Adult : €4
    • Senior/Group: €3
    • Child/Student: €2
    • Family: €10
  • GARDENS (open all year):
    • Free admission
• CAR PARK :
  • Yes