Doneraile Court

The St Leger family held Doneraile from the early seventeenth century, and the house is a Georgian block of the 1720s with later remodelling. The park around it is the substance: about 160 hectares laid out in the eighteenth century in the English landscape manner with serpentine water, mature specimen trees, avenues and follies, and it is one of the best-preserved landscape parks of its date in Ireland. Three deer species graze it - red, fallow and sika - as a managed herd. The family produced two curiosities: Elizabeth St Leger, who in the early eighteenth century is said to have hidden in the library, overheard a masonic meeting, been discovered and then initiated, becoming the only recorded woman freemason of the period; and Edward St Leger, who gave his name to the St Leger horse race. The house was restored and reopened by the OPW, with tours in season; the parkland is free.

What you actually see

• The landscape park - 160 hectares laid out in the eighteenth century.
• The deer herds - red, fallow and sika, managed on the estate.
• The Georgian house - the 1720s block, restored and shown in season.
• The St Leger stories - the woman freemason and the horse race name.

When to go

April to October for the house tours, which are seasonal. The parkland is open year-round and free. Deer are most visible early and late in the day.

Honest expectations

House opening is seasonal and by guided tour - the parkland is the year-round attraction. Deer are wild animals; do not approach, particularly in the autumn rut. Parking charges apply.

Nearby

Doneraile village is at the gates; Mallow and the Blackwater valley are south.