I visited Huntington Castle & Gardens in Carlow in August. This is a place that I had wanted to go to for a long time and it did not disappoint me, the area the house is in, looked fantastic on the day I was there.
They have wonderful gardens to wander around, as well as a tour of the house, which is very interesting. They also have the tallest tree in Carlow and lovely little tea rooms.
There is a grape vine that came from a cutting of a grape vine that Henry the 8th’s second Wife, Ann Boleyn was given as a gift (before things got awkward between them).
This house is still lived in by the same family who originally built it, which I think is unique in Ireland, as most houses of this nature (that are open to the public), seem to have lost their long term families in the 1970’s.
If you like exploring places like this, I would recommend that you visit Huntington Castle.
Gallagher Photography 
Lovely photos. I love the chicken one. It looks like a lovely place.
Thanks Val, it is a great place.