The stunning and historic gardens of Waterford's Mount Congreve will provide the backdrop for tonight's episode of Nationwide on RTE. The show this evening recounts Mount Congreve Gardens' transformation from a private estate to a popular tourist destination.
One of "The Great Gardens of the World" can be found at Mount Congreve House and Gardens in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford, in Ireland's Ancient East. Six generations of the Congreve family have lived in Mount Congreve House since it was constructed in 1760 by renowned local architect John Roberts.
The gardens at Mount Congreve were the brainchild of Mr. Lionel N. de Rothschild, who is best known as the creator of Exbury Gardens by the New Forest in Hampshire. Rothschild's passion, generosity, and support were instrumental in the founding of the Woodland Gardens at Mount Congreve. He rose to prominence as one of the most astute hybridizers and possibly the best landscaper of the 20th century. The original Mount Congreve gardens were a straightforward terraced garden with a sweet chestnut and ilex woodland on the slopes that down to the river and are currently under state trust.
Tune in to Nationwide at 7 pm this evening on RTE1.
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