Tullynally Castle and Gardens
Gothic Revival family castle near Castlepollard with seasonal guided tours of the main rooms and servants’ quarters, and large gardens.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Tullynally has been the home of the Pakenham family since 1655, and it is still a family home. Today it is the home of Thomas Pakenham, who inherited it in 1961 from his uncle, the 6th Earl of Longford, known for his work with the Gate Theatre in Dublin.
The guided tour passes through the main rooms, which include the Great Hall, Dining Room, Drawing Room and Library, and then goes below stairs to the Victorian servants’ quarters. It follows the private lives of ten generations of the family and the daily life of the staff who worked in the house.
Most of the gardens were laid out in the early nineteenth century by Thomas Pakenham’s great-great-grandparents. He and his late wife Valerie restored the flower gardens and designed many of the summerhouses, and he has done much of the tree planting in the forest walk. Parts of the castle that were derelict have been converted into self-contained flats.
Highlights
- Guided tour of the main rooms, from the Great Hall to the Library
- Victorian servants’ quarters below stairs
- Story of ten generations of the Pakenham family
- Large gardens with a tree trail and a forest walk
- Children’s discovery trail and the Stables Tearoom
Permanent exhibition
- Castle tour – A 45-minute guided visit through the Great Hall, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Library and the Victorian servants’ quarters.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €9 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €4 |
| Families | €24 |
| Castle tour including gardens, adult | €17 |
| Castle tour including gardens, child | €9Tours are not suitable for children under 10. |
The regular price is for the gardens. Season tickets are available.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Only partly suitable for kids
| Family ticket | €24 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
There is a children’s discovery trail in the gardens with creatures to find. Castle tours are not suitable for children under 10.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
The Stables Tearoom serves coffee, tea and homemade refreshments with covered indoor and outdoor seating.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The castle can only be seen on a guided tour of about 45 minutes. Tours are not suitable for children under 10. |
