Due to circumstance outside their control, Newtownbarry House and Gardens will not re-open for the 2018 summer season and is unlikely to be open to the public again in the future. House and Garden tours and visits booked for the season cannot now go ahead including bookings made through Wexford and Carlow Garden Trails. Clody and her family sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and to thank all who visited the house, gardens and art gallery and supported them over the years.
Best wishes are extended to the Norton family at this difficult time.
Bunclody Town has a rich heritage and it was felt that this could be further promoted. It was also recognised that there is a need to provide in-door facilities so that visitors have things to do when the weather is inclement. Some suggestions included a historical Museum. This could possibly be located in one of the vacant buildings in the Town. This could include a photographic exhibition and artefacts representing Bunclody’s history. Reference was made to ‘Enniscorthy Castle’ and how successfully this has promoted Enniscorthy’s heritage. Another excellent example is the ‘St Conall’s Museum and Heritage Centre’ in a small village called Glenties, County Donegal. According to the Rough Guide of Ireland it is one of the best small-Town museums in the country and displays much material of local interest, focusing on wildlife, Donegal’s railways, antiquities, and the effects of the Great Famine. It also holds a Summer School in late July, attracting hundreds of people to its exhibitions, seminars and literary debates.
There are a wealth of historic houses
and gardens within close proximity to Bunclody including:
- Newtownbarry House
- Altamount Gardens
- Huntington Castle
- Borris Castle
- Lucy’s Wood Garden
- Tombrick Gardens
These gardens are members of either the Wexford or Carlow Garden Trails that are widely publicised nationally through websites or in brochures. It was recognised that because Bunclody is located on the border between Co. Carlow and Co. Wexford, visitors are not always aware of the gardens in close proximity to the Town.
It was felt very important that all of these attractions should be jointly publicised to visitors who are staying in Bunclody or the neighboring area.
Horse riding:
The opportunity to do pony trekking in the mountains was considered and it was felt that current facilities are not well known. There is the Anvil Lodge Riding School based in Ballindaggan which is 11 km from Bunclody and it offers individual and group packages and it was felt that this could be promoted further.
