Just 10 minutes' drive west of Athy, Burtown House is an early Georgian villa surrounded by beautiful gardens, parkland walks and farmland .
It is one of only two houses in Co Kildare to have remained in the original family, and an extraordinarily talented one at that. Latterly it was home to the late Wendy Walsh, one of Ireland’s finest botanical artists and a wonderful gardener. Her favourite specimens are established here in the gardens that her daughter Lesley, also a highly regarded painter, and her son James Fennell, the photographer, have extended and improved over two generations to create the memorable experience that visitors enjoy today.
A visit to Burtown is one of the most rewarding days out to be found anywhere in Ireland and, thanks to the creativity and drive of Lesley, James and his wife Joanna, it is blossoming in a gloriously organic way.
On arrival, modern sculptures dotted around the parkland set the informal tone for a day that will be full of surprises.
The twelve acres of gardens, woodland and water offer constantly changing areas of interest throughout much of the year, beginning with a carpet of snowdrops and spring bulbs in February, peaking in May and June with a glorious display of summer planting - especially along the beautiful stream that is a key feature of the property - and then gently winding down into autumnal tones as the days shorten.
The gardens and the many specimen plants grown here are an ongoing source of artistic inspiration and works by family members and other like minded artists are on display throughout the property, with some also offered for sale along with carefully selected gifts and books, including the famous Vanishing Ireland series photographed by James Fennell with words by his historian friend and neighbour,Turtle Bunbury of Lisnavagh.
All this makes Burtown a wonderful place to feed the soul, but the body is far from forgotten. The walled kitchen garden has been under organic production for over 150 years and it is the starting point for the fresh seasonal produce that is the basis for most of the good things that are served here.
A lovely little café was started in 2012 by Joanna (the jeweller in the family) and - not surprisingly, considering the simple deliciousness of her food and the natural charm with which everything at Burtown is done - it quickly became a food destination. Now hungry visitors head instead to The Green Barn, which is handily located in parkland just inside the front gates of Burtown House, overlooking the walled kitchen garden.
The Barn is a lovely conversion job - high ceilinged, with a versatile arrangement of atmospheric spaces suited to different groups and purposes, as well as a spacious terrace. The teas, delicious home bakes and moreish salads that first delighted garden visitors are still on offer, and there's specially designed pottery, linen and cutlery to set off chef Yanis's simply stylish seasonal cooking. Just the spot for a tasty lunch, a midweek brunch or, on Fridays and Saturdays - a leisurely dinner.
Menus change regularly as food is seasonal, using produce from the walled garden and the polytunnels. And as they are almost 100% self-sufficient and use sustainable methods for all their food production, their carbon footprint is greatly reduced. Heating and hot water is produced from one biomass woodchip system that feeds into all the buildings.
And there's also a super artisan food area and retail shop at The Green Barn, so you'll have plenty to resist when you finally tear yourself away to go home.
The gardens and the many specimen plants grown here are an ongoing source of artistic inspiration and works by family members and other like minded artists are on display throughout the barn, with some also offered for sale along with carefully selected gifts and books, including the famous Vanishing Ireland series photographed by James Fennell with words by his historian friend and neighbour,Turtle Bunbury of Lisnavagh.
A must-visit when planning a trip to the Kildare/Carlow area.
