Emo Court

Set on an garden estate in the midlands county of Laois, Emo Court is a neoclassical mansion with 18th century gardens that contain formal lawns, a lake and woodland walks with many rare trees and shrubs.

Emo Court is a country villa designed in neo-Classical style, reflecting the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. It is the architectural creation of James Gandon (1743-1823), one of Ireland's most celebrated architects, having designed such monuments as the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin.

Emo Court was for nearly a century a work in creation. Commissioned in the late 1700's by the First Earl of Portarlington, Emo Court saw its way toward completion during the second and third Earl's tenure (1830's - 1860's).

The Portarlington Earls left Emo Court in 1920 and the house fell into decline, only to be purchased by the Jesuits and used as a seminary, who slowly restored the site to prominence before turning it over to the Office of Public Works to manage it on behalf of the public. The house has been restored and is now the property of the state.

Emo Court is highly regarded for its magnificent gardens. The house is surrounded by 18th century gardens and parkland, with formal areas, woodland walks, and a lake. The gardens are broadly divided into two areas: The Clucker contains rare specimen trees, azaleas, rhododendrons and other shrubs. The Grapery is a more classical arboretum, with a series of winding paths, along the way providing many inspired vistas of the house and Slieve Bloom mountains.

If You Go: Emo Court Gardens are open year round during daylight hours, while the house is open to visitors from Easter to end October: Daily 10.00 - 18.00. Last admission one hour before closing. Admission is Adult: €2.90; Seniors: €2.10; Child/Student: €1.30; and Family: €7.40.