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Castle · Wexford, Wexford
Johnstown Castle
19th-century neo-Gothic castle south of Wexford, with restored rooms, the servants' passage, lakeside gardens, a walled garden and the Irish Agricultural Museum.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Johnstown Castle
Johnstown Castle lies about 6 km south of Wexford, on an estate of roughly 50 hectares. It began as a Norman tower house of the Esmonde family and was transformed in the 19th century by the Grogan-Morgan family into a neo-Gothic castle, with towers, battlements and arched windows in grey stone. In 1945 the estate was donated to the Irish State and for decades served as an agricultural research centre.
The castle was restored and opened to visitors in 2019. The tour passes through the main rooms, with decorated ceilings and period furniture, and the servants' passage, an about 86-metre tunnel by which staff moved unseen by the family.
The gardens are the main attraction: three man-made lakes with swans and ducks, a woodland planted with trees from around the world, statues and a Victorian walled garden with flower beds and glasshouses. On the shore of the largest lake are the ruins of the Rathlannon tower house.
The former stables house the Irish Agricultural Museum, telling the story of rural Irish life: blacksmith, carpenter and saddler workshops, historic kitchens, machinery and a large exhibition on the Great Famine. There is a café and a playground for children.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the castle, gardens and agricultural museum.
Best time
From spring to autumn, when the gardens are in bloom. Choose dry days for walking around the lakes. Check the castle opening times.
How to get there
It is about 6 km southwest of Wexford town centre, signposted from the N25. There is parking at the entrance. There is no regular public transport to the castle.
Tip
Take the castle tour to see the servants' passage and then walk around the largest lake to the Rathlannon ruins. Allow time for the Great Famine exhibition in the agricultural museum.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Johnstown Castle
What is the servants' passage?
A tunnel of about 86 metres through which the servants moved without being seen by the family. It is part of the castle tour.
What's in the agricultural museum?
The history of Irish rural life, with workshops, kitchens, machinery and an exhibition about the Great Famine.
Can the gardens be visited without the castle?
Yes. There are separate tickets for the gardens and for the castle; check the options.