![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/2.43013476.jpg\")
Britain’s Prince of Wales took a guided tour through the stunning scenery of a botanical garden as his tour of Ireland continued.<\/p>\nBritain’s Prince of Wales took a guided tour through the stunning scenery of a botanical garden as his tour of Ireland continued.<\/p>\n
Prince Charles strolled through the National Botanic Gardens in Kilmacurragh, County Wicklow, to see the important work that is being undertaken in plant conservation.<\/p>\n
When he arrived, he was greeted by Kevin Moran, Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, and Seamus O Brien, Head Gardener at Kilmacurragh, who showed the prince around.<\/p>\n
Kilmacurragh is renowned for its remarkable gardens and plant collection established by the Acton family.<\/p>\n
The present collection of mature exotics is largely based on material collected by some of the great plant-hunters of the 19th century.<\/p>\n
Prince Charles began his visit by walking through a wild meadow with the Wicklow hills as a stunning backdrop, and followed a path which took him to Kilmacurragh House.<\/p>\n
The ruined shell of a building is a rare example of the Queen Anne style of architecture in Ireland and was in 1697.<\/p>\n
The house, designed by William Robinson and commissioned by Thomas Acton, was built in 1697 and was known as Westaston Estate from 1750 to 1850.<\/p>\n
The vision for the property, whose upper floors are supported by metal girders, is to preserve the building as one of the earliest unfortified country houses in Ireland.<\/p>\n
The house and gardens remained in the hands of the Acton family from their inception at the start of the 18th century until 1944 when they were sold.<\/p>\n