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| TERRACE, POWERSCOURT CASTLE, CO. WICKLOW. -The above splendid seat is famed throughout the length and breadth of Ireland for the picturesqueness of its situation and the loveliness of its surroundings. The sketch shows the fine terrace leading from a wing of the castle to the water, which reflects so much that is lovely in nature and in art on its crystal surface. The grand demesne is traversed by the winding upper Dargle brook, which runs, with ceaseless murmur, through scenes of enchanting beauty, to the sea. General Wingfield, ancestor of Lord Powerscourt, became possessed of the magnificent estate during the Elizabethan period, when, after a long and gallant struggle, the native proprietors were driven out at the point of the sword. The Powerscourts are frequent absentees, but there is always an agent to represent them, and on application to him, visitors are freely admitted to view the grounds. One British tourist has written of the castle that "There are few mansions in Great Britain and Ireland so auspiciously situated; hill and dale, and wood and water are so skillfully bleaned, or divided, and the whole is so completely enclosed by mountains, apparently inaccessible to mortal feet, as to realize the picture of the Happy Valley." The green houses, conservastory and pleasure grounds of the castle are in keeping with its general magnificence. |
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