Emo Court

About the museum

Emo Court was designed by the architect James Gandon, who began work on it in 1790 soon after finishing the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin. Building continued for about seventy years before the house was completed. It was the seat of the Earls of Portarlington, who owned the estate until the War of Independence forced them to leave Ireland.

Later the Jesuits used the mansion as the novitiate of the Irish Province, and some 500 members were trained there. In the 1960s Major Cholmeley-Harrison took over the house, restored it, opened the gardens and parkland and presented the estate to the Irish people in 1994.

Today the house is run by the Office of Public Works. A guided tour takes visitors through the restored ground-floor period rooms and down into the basement, where the servants’ stories are told. The estate also has formal gardens, lake and woodland walks and tearooms.

Highlights

• Neoclassical house by James Gandon
• Guided tour of restored ground-floor period rooms
• Basement with the stories of the servants
• Formal gardens, lake and woodland walks
• Tearooms in the estate

Permanent exhibition

• Guided house tour – A guided tour of the restored ground-floor period rooms and the basement, where the story of the servants is told.

Operated by

Office of Public Works (OPW)

Admission & discounts

Tickets can be booked online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Visitors with mobility needs or other special requirements are asked to contact the site before their visit.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing is listed; a family ticket is available.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is 2.5 km from Emo village on the Kildare to Portlaoise road (N7).

Amenities & dining

• Café

Tearooms, picnic area and toilets; card payments are accepted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit