Johnstown Castle is a gem of gothic revival architecture, but it is only in the last few years that it has been open for the public to enjoy.

The castle, which lies just ten minutes away from Wexford town, was donated to the Irish State in 1945. It later became the home of An Foras Talúntais, which has since become Teagasc – Ireland’s agriculture and food development agency.

Under its leadership, the Johnstown Castle Estate began its journey towards becoming a visitor attraction. In 1974, Dr Austin O’Sullivan began collecting materials relating to farming and rural life in Ireland, and the Irish Agricultural Museum was opened in the estate’s farm buildings by President Patrick Hillery in 1979.