Welcome to Farmleigh
Set within seventy-eight acres of landscaped parkland on the north-west edge of Dublin’s Phoenix Park, Farmleigh is one of Ireland’s most remarkable historic estates. Today, it serves as the official Irish State Guest House, welcoming visiting dignitaries and guests of the nation, while also opening its doors to the public seven days a week.
Once home to generations of the Guinness family, Farmleigh offers a beautifully preserved glimpse into Edwardian elegance. The house features richly furnished interiors, important collections of art and decorative objects, and the renowned Benjamin Iveagh Library with its exceptional rare books and manuscripts. Visitors can also enjoy exhibitions in the gallery and explore the pleasure grounds, from the walled and sunken gardens to woodland paths and tranquil lakeside walks, all reflecting the vision and taste of the Guinness family.
Led by knowledgeable guides, tours of Farmleigh House trace its evolution from eighteenth-century origins to its role today as a place of state hospitality, offering insight into the lives, legacy and global influence of the Guinness family. For visitors captivated by the Netflix series House of Guinness, a guided tour of Farmleigh House offers a unique opportunity to step into the real-world setting and uncover the true stories behind the on-screen drama.
Managed by the Office of Public Works, the estate is also home to a variety of farm animals, where visitors can enjoy seeing the horses, donkeys, alpacas, and the distinctive herd of Kerry black cows and native Galway sheep grazing across the grounds. Farmleigh is truly a place where history, heritage and living landscape come together in a uniquely Irish setting.
Farmleigh House Guided Tour
Please note that Farmleigh House is closed for winter.
Access to Farmleigh House is by guided tour. Guided tours of Farmleigh House are available between 10.00 hrs and 17.30 hrs with the last entry at 16.30 hrs. The average length of the house tour is 50 minutes.
Tickets are allocated on a first come, first serve basis or by online booking.
For more information or for group bookings email farmleighguides@opw.ie or call us on 046 942 3551.
Farmleigh House Admissions Charges
Adult: €8.00
Senior (60+): €6.00
Child (12-17)/Student (ID required): €4.00
Child under 12: Free
Family (Two adults, max five children): €20.00
We offer free entry for those with disabilities and their accompanying carers.
We offer free entry to all visitors on the first Wednesday of the month.
*Please note that because Farmleigh is a working Government building, the House may close at short notice. You can contact us for updates in advance of your visit, or check the front page of this website for notices.
The Boathouse Restaurant
Upcoming Events & Exhibitions
Farmleigh Tree Trails
The oldest tree at Farmleigh is the great sycamore at the edge of the donkey field, over 220 years in age. Farmleigh was owned by the Guinness family from 1873 – 1999. Edward Cecil Guinness, brewer and great grandson of Arthur Guinness began to develop a planting scheme at the estate with the introduction of the Thuja Avenue in the late 19th century. An assortment of trees from cedars to sequoias were introduced and the pleasure grounds at Farmleigh began to take shape. The Cherry Walk was later introduced by Gwendolen, Lady Iveagh in the mid-twentieth century and leads to the Sunken Garden. The Magnolia Walk was introduced by Miranda Guinness and both ladies had an influence on the planting and design of the walled garden at Farmleigh, now cared for by the Office of Public Works.
Click the images to find the online tree trails!
The Farmleigh Blog
Read the latest posts below, and click through to the full Blog for all news articles and updates.
The Benjamin Iveagh Library: A History
The Benjamin Iveagh Library is the former book collection of Benjamin Guinness (1937-92), third Earl of Iveagh. During his lifetime, Benjamin amassed a significant collection of Irish material, including exquisite eighteenth-century fine bindings, modernist...
The Dairy at Farmleigh
The building of the dairy was a serious business in Victorian times. An earlier fashion for follies and temples had evolved by then into a combination of the decorative and the useful. As part of the country house economy, the dairy became also a garden feature, a...
An Gairdín Daingean
Clúdaíonn an Gairdín Daingean thart ar cheithre acra agus tá sé le fána go seoigh i dtreo an deiscirt. Tá péire breá geataí rímhaisiúla iarainn bhuailte le feiceáil ar an mbealach isteach i dtreo rian trasnánach coisithe ag a bhfuil ciumhsóga dúbailte bláthanna a...
