Johnstown Castle is a 19th-century castle located in County Wexford, Ireland. The castle was built between 1810 and 1855 for the Grogan Morgan family and is situated on a large estate with extensive gardens and woodlands. The design of the castle is a mixture of Gothic and Tudor styles, and it features a large central tower and turrets at each corner.

In 1945, the Irish government purchased the castle and estate, and it was subsequently used as an agricultural research center. Today, the castle and gardens are open to the public and are a popular tourist attraction. The gardens feature a mix of formal and informal designs, including a walled garden, a lake, and a collection of rare trees and plants. The castle itself is also open to the public and contains a museum that showcases the history of the estate and the surrounding area.

In addition to the castle and gardens, the estate is home to several other attractions. One of the most popular is the Irish Agricultural Museum, which is housed in the estate’s former farm buildings. The museum showcases the history of agriculture in Ireland, with exhibits on topics such as farming practices, rural life, and the role of women in agriculture.

Another highlight of the estate is the ornate Victorian walled garden, which was originally built to supply the estate with fresh produce. Today, the garden is open to the public and features a mix of formal and informal planting, with a variety of exotic plants and flowers. The garden also has a large glasshouse, which is home to a collection of tropical plants and a butterfly house.

The estate’s lake is another popular attraction, and visitors can stroll along its shores or take a boat tour to explore the surrounding woodlands. The lake is home to a variety of waterfowl, including swans, ducks, and geese, and is also a popular spot for fishing.

Finally, the estate’s wildlife reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. The reserve covers over 200 acres of woodland and wetland, and is home to a variety of bird species, including herons, egrets, and kingfishers.