Twin Trees Heywood Festival Ballinakill 2019
August 22nd – 25th 2019
Join us in celebrating the Heritage of Lutyens’ Heywood Gardens, and Ballinakill Village, Co. Laois
Our festival
Heywood Gardens, Ballinakill, is owned and managed by the Office Of Public Works, since 1993; after ownership was transferred from the Salesian Fathers, who had taken care of it, since 1941.
Ballinakill, Co. Laois
Photographs
View some photographs of the wonderful locations, in and around the village of Ballinakill, Co. Laois.
About Ballinakill
Learn a little more about the past, and more recent history of Ballinakill.
Contact Us
Should you have any query relating to the Twin Trees Heywood Festival, please get in touch.
Around Heywood
What our visitors say
The formal Gardens form the centre-piece of the property and were designed by the famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) and probably landscaped by Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932). It is one of four Gardens in this country designed by him, the others being in the War Memorial Park, Lambay Island and Howth Castle.
Heywood is a little off the beaten track but well worth the detour. The demesne is a lovely place for a quiet walk and the garden designed by Lutyens is an absolute gem. From the terraces there is a wonderful panorama over the countryside towards the Slieve Bloom Mountains which alone would nearly justify a visit.
The whole is surrounded by a walk with ox eye windows, looking out over a panorama of seven counties, and approached by an alley of pleached limes. The other elements of the design are a cloister like terrace overlooking a chain of lakes, and a secret sundial garden hidden away by ramparts of yew.
Best time of year to visit: May, June, July, August
Find Us
Three Day En Plein Air (Outdoor Painting)
With two exceptional and experienced landscape painters, Bridget Flannery and Jock Nichol.
- Day One Heywood Gardens
- Day Two The Woodlands
- Day Three The Village
Book Your Place for ONE DAY on our En Plein Air, (Outdoor Painting) Event
Heywood Gardens
Heywood Gardens were completed in 1912, and consist 50 acres of gardens, lakes, woodland and architectural features. The gardens have a spectacular setting on a hillside looking south-east over a sweep of undulating country which takes in seven counties. A walk lined with lime trees leads to a formal terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside.
OUR PARTNERS
Blog
Map from Heywood Gardens to All Saints’ Church
The maps below outline both driving and walking routes, from Heywood Gardens, to All Saints’ Church in Ballinakill Village. We highly recommend the scenic walk, to Ballinakill Village, which is just a little over a mile, from either the upper or lower carparks. Again our recommendation is to start you walk from the upper carpark, […]
Twin Trees Heywood – En Plein Air 2020
Such has been the enthusiasm and positivity, for our Twin Trees Heywood Festival, Three Day Tutored En Plein Air, that we have already set the date for next year’s event. Set in the stunning environs of Heywood Gardens, the beautiful surrounding woodlands, and picturesque Ballinakill Village, our En Plein Air 2020, will take place from […]
“Lambay, Lutyens & Jekyll” – A Talk by Dr. Matthew Jebb
Saturday 24th August As part of our Tours, Talks & Teas package, Dr. Matthew Jebb will join us on August 24th, to deliver his talk, which is entitled “Lambay, Lutyens & Jekyll”. He will discuss one of Lutyens’ other great works in Ireland, at Lambay Castle, which is considered one of the finest examples of […]
Fire At Heywood House Ballinakill – January 1950
After the departure of the Poe family from Heywood, the house was sold to the then Leix Board of Health, with a plan to transform it into a home, for the care of the elderly. This idea was shelved because of the huge cost involved in the reconstruction of the house; which subsequently lay idle […]