Powerscourt

The gardens at Powerscourt are said to be the best in Ireland, due to both their design and their setting at the base of Great Sugar Loaf Mountain. 

Designed by Daniel Robertson between 1745 - 1767, the estate includes a Japanese garden, a walled garden, an Italian garden and several lakes covering  47 acres.

Although it's a long walk (four and a half miles), Ireland's highest waterfall (397 ft.) is here and said to be well worth the hike.

If you're not up for the hike, you can also visit parts of Powerscourt House, a palladian style mansion that was gutted by fire in 1974 and only recently restored.

You'll find interesting historical information on Powerscourt web site:  http://www.powerscourt.ie/

You can watch a short video on Powerscourt here