Avondale House, County Wicklow

This house, of 18th-century design, is a two-storey building that was the birthplace and family home of Charles Stewart Parnell, the great 19th-century nationalist leader, the uncrowned "king" of Ireland. The large hall opens into the reception and dining rooms, both of which are filled with Parnell memorabilia. Much of the house has now been restored to its decor of around 1850.

An audio-visual presentation on the life and times of Parnell precedes the tour of the house. Basement kitchen is now a tearoom. The surrounding forest estate extends to over 200 hectares (500 acres), and is a fine testimony to Ireland's natural heritage of trees, plants and animals. The oldest trees were planted by Samuel Hayes, who built the house over two centuries ago.

Admission charge.
Open llam-6pm daily, all year, except Christmas Day.
1.6 km (1 mile) S of Rathdrum.

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