To explain my 3 stars first: this is only due to the lack of time allocated for the tour.
A great way of getting a better idea and feel for irish history, politics and the people involved. And a beautiful and tranquil place to visit.
The tour is free, takes place every Saturday and you need to get your ticket beforehand at the tourist center.
The tour lasted 1 hour which included a bus transfer from and to the tourist center and a tour through the house and gardens.
The gardens are only part of the tour from April (?) to September. Outside this period you have a 45 minute tour of the house. Which I find more appropriate and from what I heard from others during the tour - plus the guides - it's very tight for time doing both parts. So hopefully they learned from this years (first year of doing the gardens) experience and allow more time next year.
Both guides (1 in house & 1 in garden) were very good, enjoyed giving the information and interacting with the group.
You get to see the presidential historic car that hasn't been used for a while and formal rooms. If the president is not working that day you get to see his office too. No photos allowed in the formal rooms.
The garden has several parts. A lovely wide green with some flowers and lots of old trees with many of them planted by visiting presidents or royals. A more natural park where you see gardai horses enjoying their break. The third part we got to see are walled gardens. They are laid out in the shape of a celtic cross and the four corner represent the four seasons.
A very enjoyable tour overall - just too short. read more