Edgeworth Literary Trail
Take a guided walk around Edgeworthstown to see historic literary sites, including Edgeworthstown House grounds and walled gardens, St John's Rectory, and St John's Church and graveyard. You can also see old schoolhouses and have tea.
Located in the heart of Ireland, just over an hour from Dublin, Edgeworthstown House is the place to discover the charm of 18th and 19th century literary Ireland and follow in the footsteps of famous literary figures Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, Oliver Goldsmith, and Oscar Wilde. Visit the grounds and restored walled gardens of the ancestral home of novelist Maria Edgeworth and her famous father Richard Lovell.
A local guide will take you on your walk and relay the tales of this historic period in Irish literature and heritage. You'll visit St John's Rectory, where Goldsmith received his early education and where Isola Wilde, sister to Oscar, died. Edgeworthstown is also the birthplace of Abbé Edgeworth, confessor to Louis XVI of France.
Take in St John's Church and graveyard with its Edgeworth family tomb and ancient gravestones, a place Oscar Wilde paid many visits to in order to spend time at the grave of his beloved sister Isola.
You can also see 19th century schoolhouses and enjoy morning or afternoon tea in some of the local establishments.
Pre booking is essential.
Family practicalities
- Pram-friendly (likely)
- Step-free access (likely)
- Café on site
- Toilets (likely)