SNIPPET: The Italian Garden was designed by Daniel ROBERTSON. The terraces were laid out during the 1840's and took over 100 men twelve years to complete. On the top terrace are the statues of Apollo Belvedere, Diana and Fame and Victory which date from the mid 19th century. The central perron features Wicklow granite and pebbles from the nearby coastal town of Bray. It is decorated with Bronze Groups of Children and Urns copied from Versailles. Below is the 'Spitting Men' originally from Milan and bought in Paris is 1872 and between them the sun dial which reads, "I only mark the sunny hours." Tower Valley: Many trees native to North America were planted in this area and also in the valley is the Pepperpot Tower built in 1911 and modelled on LORD POWERSCOURT's dining room pepperpot. Japanese Gardens: Laid out on reclaimed bogland by the 8th VISCOUNT and VISCOUNTESS POWERSCOURT in 1908. The Grotto was built in the 18th century from petrified sphagnum found on the banks of the River Dargle. Winged Horses: These are the heraldic supporters of the WINGFIELD arms and were executed in zinc by Professor Hugo HAGEN in Berlin in 1869. Triton Lake: The fountain in the centre of the lake is based on the fountain in the Piazza Barberini in Rome. Pets Cemetery: One of the largest of its kind. It contains many of the family pets of POWERSCOURT. Dolphin Pond: Originally the 'Green Pond' the central fountain has a jet and dolphins spouting water and was purchased by the 7th VISCOUNT in Paris. Walled Gardens: These include the longest herbaceous border in Ireland and the memorial to JULIA, 7th VISCOUNTESS POWERSCOURT. The four busts are of the great Italian Masters -- Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Benvenuto Cellini. Bamberg Gate: This came from the Cathedral at Bamberg in Bavaria and dates from 1770. There is a waterfall 5 km from the gardens. The estate and gardens are absolutely splendid, one of the highlights of my trip to Ireland last summer with my sister! A coach from Dublin took us over and back. Tourists are given a map which outlines a one-hour walking route, a 40-minute route, and disabled access. Gardens and House Exhibition open daily, garden pavilion open all year round, nearby waterfall open daily in summer.