Mount Congreve

Mount Congreve is an 18th-century country house near Kilmeaden standing on a Georgian estate overlooking the River Suir. The property spans seventy acres of woodland gardens and a four-acre walled garden with paths and terraces throughout.

Local architect John Roberts designed and built the mansion in 1760 for John Congreve, then High Sheriff of County Waterford. This Georgian period marked the foundation for the estate's development and its gardens over the following centuries.

The estate holds one of Ireland's largest private plant collections, displaying a wide range of rhododendrons, camellias, and woodland specimens selected over centuries. The gardens reflect the passion of past generations for botanical variety.

The best time to visit is during dry weather when the paths are easiest to walk and plants are fully developed. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow plenty of time to explore the different garden sections at a relaxed pace.

The house long held a significant private library whose books featured specially designed bookplates bearing the combined arms of the Congreve and Ushers families. This collection represented an important part of the estate's cultural heritage until its dispersal.