Antrim Borough Council is proud to present a new era at Antrim Castle Gardens in providing visitors and the local community with programmes of activities bringing this historic and naturally beautiful setting to life. The recent reopening of Clotworthy House represented the first important step towards the revitalisation of Antrim Castle Gardens, one of the most unique and historically intact gardens in the United Kingdom and throughout Ireland.
For local people the Gardens and Clotworthy complex offer a beautiful location close to Antrim town centre for a stroll, a coffee or the opportunity to experience a variety of exhibitions. They also offer the opportunity to learn more about the Gardens, the Massereene family and in many ways the history of Antrim itself. For visitors, local, national and international, Antrim Castle Gardens is a destination like no other which is sure to be a firm favourite in a short space of time.

The Large Parterre
A small parterre was located in an enclosed garden compartment at the eastern side of the southern end of the canal. The garden probably had other parterres which await discovery with further research. However, a Large Parterre was laid out in a field to the west of the long canal during the 1990's so visitors could fully experience what the early garden looked like. This area had a varied history and had been in the late 18th and early 19th century a kitchen garden with a small glass house, while in the 20th century it was used as a hockey and cricket ground as well as agricultural showgrounds. The field with its high lime hedges had already a 17th century feel and made an ideal location for a reconstruction of a late 17th or 18th century formal parterre with boxed edged beds and period planting. The design of the beds was based on a parterre recovered by archaeology at the destroyed formal garden at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh. A platform was created at the northern end so the pattern of the parterre could be fully appreciated. Other 17th century features include groves of hornbeam planted in a quincunx formation.

The Italianate Tower
The only remaining remnant of Antrim Castle, has been preserved and the Castle 'footprint' and grand entrance have been marked out, giving an insight into the scale and layout of the building. A few surprises have been unearthed in the course of recent restoration work. Many previously hidden features from the original garden layout have been revealed including a network of tunnels and a Pleasure Garden where 'Her Ladyship' would have often taken a stroll.

The Wolfhound
Many local people will be familiar with the story of the wolfhound reputed to have saved the life of Sir Hugh Clotworthy's wife, Lady Marian. The wolfhound, immortalised in stone and one of the earliest found in Ireland, has recently been relocated to the new courtyard at Clotworthy House. Today, Lady Marian's protector takes pride of place in the landscaped courtyard and still looks out towards Lough Neagh defending the Gardens.

-Biodiversity Games
The Biodiversity Games is a recording project supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund 'Your Heritage' Programme, in partnership with eight Biodiversity Officers. The project, which is open to all ages, aims to get people involved in helping their local biodiversity, so 'get recording'!
-Supporting Local Communities
Antrim Castle Gardens is a unique resource at the heart of the local community as well as a visitor attraction of national significance. Antrim Borough Council is committed to fostering and developing community engagement through;
-A 'Garden Friends' Volunteer Group to develop community gardening on-site.
-Provision of activity/meeting rooms at special concessionary hire rates for groups
engaged in cultural activity (contact reception for further information).
-Grant aid support for cultural activity and artists bursaries under the auspices of the Antrim Borough Arts and Heritage Committee
-Grants and Bursaries
Antrim Borough Council through the Borough Arts and Heritage Committee promotes a Small Grants and Young Artists Bursary scheme. Funding is available to groups and individuals for a range of cultural activities. The bursary scheme is promoted in association with the Enkalon Foundation and is aimed at young people under 25 years who can demonstrate a high level of achievement in the Arts. For further details, contact reception at Clotworthy house.
Application forms and funding criteria can be downloaded from the publications link at www.antrim.gov.uk

Features:
-Clotworthy House
During the recent restoration process, Clotworthy House, the original castle stables and the surrounding buildings have been re-designed with increased emphasis on garden heritage facilities and exhibits on the Massereene story, the history and evolution of the Gardens and myths and legends associated with the site.
-Oriel Gallery
The brand new light-filled Oriel Gallery provides a unique backdrop to a wide ranging series of exhibitions, guaranteeing something for everyone.
-Eyre Studio
A contemporary, state of the art multipurpose venue with top of the range recording facilities. Eyre studio serves groups and associations throughout the Borough in facilitating musical rehearsals, performance workshops, choirs and music groups.