At the end of the mile long driveway from the road, this gate welcomes you to the formal garden Recently I spent a wonderful few hours exploring the near 300 acre estate which surround the Castle Grove Country House Hotel in Letterkenny. This site has been continually occupied since the Grove Family moved here in c.1695, the walled garden on the site dates from pre 1836, and since there are no brick walls, they are all made form local stone, it is more than likely pre 1820. Castle Grove benefits from a wonderful situation looking down on Lough Swilly and even in Winter the parkland and planting around the house was full of interest. Below enjoy a few pictures from my wee dander, but the best way to see for yourself is to pay a visit, explore the gardens and grounds and then enjoy a coffee in the Hotel.
Within the estate there are formal gardens, a sunken garden under restoration, the walled garden, woodland walks, parkland and famine walls. The architecture of the gardeners cottage, the Lodge, the Main House and the Land Agents House are well worth exploring. Mrs Sweeney who has been in ownership of CastleGrove since 1989 is full of historical information and stories and is a delightful host.
Within the estate there are formal gardens, a sunken garden under restoration, the walled garden, woodland walks, parkland and famine walls. The architecture of the gardeners cottage, the Lodge, the Main House and the Land Agents House are well worth exploring. Mrs Sweeney who has been in ownership of CastleGrove since 1989 is full of historical information and stories and is a delightful host.
 Camelias in the formal garden, grown from stock in Mulroy House. |  One of the many Magnolias, budding up in the formal garden of Castle Grove, again from stock in Mulroy House |
 Tree Rhododendron in CastleGrove |  Historical OS Map of CastleGrove |
 A fine specimen in the Parkland of Castle Grove |  A sizeable oak in the Parkland of Castle Grove Hotel, Letterkenny |
 One of the many conifers in the Parkland of CastleGrove |  One of the many conifers in the Parkland of CastleGrove |
Small entrance door to the walled garden in CastleGrove House Now onto the walled garden which gently slopes South to Lough Swilly, this area is surrounded by completely intact 10' high walls, located in the walled garden is a commercial polytunnel, which supplies the Castle Grove Hotel restaurant with seasonal produce, also there is a sizeable amount of very mature fruit trees and bushes, a large area of new orchard planting, many raspberry canes and outdoor beds containing Rhubarb, Strawberries and Cabbages...
Around half the walled garden is covered in planted trees, mostly boradleaf, some conifer, which are relatively young and would be easily removed if space was required. Within the walled garden there are various buildings, including a delightful potting shed and the clearly visible footings of the greenhouse.
Around half the walled garden is covered in planted trees, mostly boradleaf, some conifer, which are relatively young and would be easily removed if space was required. Within the walled garden there are various buildings, including a delightful potting shed and the clearly visible footings of the greenhouse.
 An old trained apple tree on the West facing wall in Castle Grove |  One of the many mature apple trees in the lower south part of the walled garden in Castle Grove |
Potting shed tucked away in the undergrowth in the Castle Grove walled garden Located in the North end of Castle Grove walled garden is this delightful single storey Gardeners Potting Shed, on the back of this potting shed there was a sizeable South Facing Greenhouse, which was connected to the building at the side of the potting shed via a short walkway.
In a historical inventory of CastleGrove this building is described as a 'Bothy' (a place where unmarried farmworkers or gardeners would have lived), so the potting shed probably developed at a later date.
In a historical inventory of CastleGrove this building is described as a 'Bothy' (a place where unmarried farmworkers or gardeners would have lived), so the potting shed probably developed at a later date.
 Front of potting shed in Castle Grove |  racking/shelving within Potting Shed, would have been ideal for storing apples and other fruits aswell as pots and gardening sundries |
 Greenhouse footprint at rear of Potting Shed in Castle Grove |  Walkway leading into former Greenhouse in CastleGrove |
 Another building in the Walled Garden |  Footprint of a hot house in Castle Grove |  located on the East Facing wall in Castle Grove |
As mentioned above there is areas of the walled garden under cultivation for the restaurant, some can be seen in this picture. However was delights me in the pathway, this is one of the original path within the walled garden, and there is a good network of paths which would make a delightful walk through this heritage space...
For more information on Castle Groves gardens, landscape and the Castle Grove Country House Hotel, then please visit the Castle Grove Country House Hotel website.
For more information on Castle Groves gardens, landscape and the Castle Grove Country House Hotel, then please visit the Castle Grove Country House Hotel website.
