Avondale House
Once a vibrant residence resonating with life and laughter, this extraordinary home bears witness to the intertwining tales of two remarkable individuals—one renowned for their devotion to trees and the other recognized as one of Ireland’s most esteemed historical figures.
As visitors step into the rooms of this grand mansion, the past is reanimated, and the narratives of these families once again fill these exquisite spaces.
In the year 1770, a young barrister and ardent naturalist named Samuel Hayes inherited a vast estate in Wicklow, christened Avondale. Samuel was truly ahead of his time. Not only did he pen Ireland’s inaugural book dedicated to trees, but he also recognized the distressing disappearance of Ireland’s native forests. Fueled by this awareness, he embarked on a mission to establish a forest park on his land and create a dwelling that would harmonize with its surroundings. In 1777, Avondale House took shape, designed in the Georgian style by the illustrious James Wyatt.
Following Samuel’s passing in 1795, the house and estate were bequeathed to his cousin, Sir John Parnell, with a stipulation that it should forever be passed down to a younger son of the family. Consequently, the estate and house were eventually inherited by John Henry Parnell, the father of Charles Stewart Parnell, who would later become an iconic figure in Irish history.
Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of County Wicklow, the Parnell family nurtured their brood of eleven children—six girls and five boys.
This cherished abode, much like any contemporary family home, brimmed with activity, as laughter, conversations, and footsteps resonated through its rooms and corridors. The Parnell clan reveled in various hobbies and pastimes, relishing the estate and the captivating surrounding landscape.
On Charles Stewart Parnell’s 21st birthday, he inherited Avondale along with the weighty responsibility of managing a sizable estate plagued by financial troubles. This formative experience shaped his perspective on the relationship between landowners and tenants in Ireland, ultimately influencing the trajectory of his political career.
In 1904, the state acquired Avondale House and Estate. Today, visitors have the opportunity to explore this historic residence and delve into the captivating narrative of Samuel Hayes and the Parnell Family. Discover how this exceptional place left an indelible mark on their lives and how each family member contributed a distinctive chapter to the story of Ireland.