Opening of New Exhibition in the Historic Gazebo Tower

Strokestown Park are delighted to announce the opening of a brand-new exhibition within the historic Gazebo Tower located in the Victorian Walled Garden.

Climbing to the upstairs exhibition space, visitors can listen to voices from the past through immersive audio experiences, from residents, landlords and workers whose daily lives were intertwined with the tower and the adjoining walled garden. Historic photographs and displays reveal how the gardens and parkland have evolved over the centuries, offering a vivid glimpse into estate life and the wider social changes that shaped it.

The Gazebo Tower has stood in the Strokestown Park Estate for generations and offers expansive views over the Victorian Walled Garden. The interior and Venetian windows date from the mid-18th century, when the original walled garden was established. However, it is believed that these elements were incorporated into an earlier structure when it was possibly used as a watch tower.

Exhibition in the Gazebo Tower. Round Table with the history of the Strokestown Park Estate.

For those unable to climb the stairs, the exhibition is also accessible digitally through an on-site QR code, allowing visitors to explore the audio stories, imagery and research behind the exhibition. Dr. Emma O’Toole Collections & Interpretation Manager at the Irish Heritage Trust said:

“The Gazebo Tower offers a fascinating lens through which to explore the layered histories of the estate, from the designed landscape of the 18th century to the people who lived and worked here across generations. Through voices, images and stories, the exhibition invites visitors to see the landscape in a new light.

Exterior if Gazebo Tower in Victorian Walled Garden

Everyone at Strokestown Park look forward to welcoming visitors to discover the Gazebo Tower this summer and to experience the beauty and history of the Victorian Walled Garden. Guided tours of Strokestown Park House run daily, and the National Famine Museum is open from 10:00am to 5.30pm. For more information or to book a tour, please click HERE.

There is also a range of seasonal events on offer, ensuring there is something to suit all visitors.

The Gazebo tower exhibition has been made possible with the valued support of the Regional Museums Exhibition Grant Scheme from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, alongside support from Westward Holdings, the owner of the historic property, which is cared for by the Irish Heritage Trust, an independent non-profit organisation.