Fernhill

A century-old tree gives you perspectived and you borrow some dignity from it

A century-old tree gives you perspectived and you borrow some dignity from it. Walking around Fernhill, the garden/ woodland estate at Sandyford, South Dublin, is something special. It is spacious, it is varied; you come away refreshed, relaxed at so much peace absorbed from the stately woodland. A pamphlet with map guides you around. First the kitchen garden with its flowers, vegetables and fruit, the beds bordered by impressive boxhedge. As to the walls - they are tall, ten or twelve feet high, beech hedging, meticulously clipped. You are told in the pamphlet that the garden was laid out over 180 years ago and it has since then remained in cultivation, providing fruit, vegetables and flowers for the house ever since.

Number four point on the map is a large sweet chestnut, described as a Native of the Mediterranean, and said to be more than 200 years old. It looks as if it could be a thousand, so curling and thick and convoluted are its magnificent branches. Definitely one of the treasures. But then to the Broadwalk, about five yards wide, easy under foot, for the gravel must rest on years and years of pine needles and the remains of thousands of shards of cones of various trees. The edges are kept clear by lines of straight branches and trunks of trees.

This was laid out between 1850 and 1860 and the prize must go to the three huge Wellingtonias which, the pamphlet tells us, are a landmark visible from Dublin Bay. Sally Walker, widow of Ralph, who died in 1980 carries on the good work. There is a discreet plaque to Ralph (a former Chairman of this newspaper). It is at the foot of a gingko tree and the inscription tells us it was presented to him in 1978 on his retiral as President of the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. The fernery has been developed and extended by Sally.

Peace. In a field below you are two donkeys under a tree, swishing their tails against the flies. Everyone will have his or her special reminder from this wealth of colour and form. One praises the brilliant blue of the hydrangeas. Another, practical never saw such artichokes. Finally: it says on the pamphlet: "Welcome to Fernhill. Fernhill is a family home, privately owned and maintained. We hope you enjoy your visit," Open March-September, Tuesdays to Saturdays and Bank Holidays, 11 to 5, Sundays 2 to 6 pm. Closed Mondays. Dogs not allowed.

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There is a modest entrance fee, and it is worth adding that dotted all over the place are seats and tables for contemplation and rest. Y