Although described in the notes to the 1836 Ordnance Survey as ‘the most fashionable garden in all of Ireland’ over the decades knowledge of the Larchill Ferme Ornée faded. The parkland returned to farmland, the lake was drained and the formal garden was lost and used to graze sheep. Although the follies became semi derelict and obscured by undergrowth and trees, the mystery and beauty of Larchill was still recognised. Folklore stories of hauntings and the ‘strange’ nature of Larchill ensured its continued notoriety.

In 1994 the de Las Casas family acquired Larchill. Paddy Bowe, Garden Historian, visited Larchill and was the first to realise that Larchill was indeed a Ferme Ornée and an important ‘lost’ garden. Four years of restoration followed with the aid of a grant from the Great Gardens of Ireland Restoration Program and a FAS Community Employment Project.

In recognition of the quality and sensitivity of the restoration program Larchill Arcadian Garden has been awarded the 1988 National Henry Ford Conservation Award, the 1999 ESB Community Environment Award and the 2002 European Union Environmental Heritage Award.

RECENT RESTORATIONS

Restoration of the Hit and Miss roof on an agricultural building

In 2025 we restored and replaced the east roof slates of this outbuilding at Larchill.
This style of roofing pattern is known as “Hit and Miss”. Also known as a broken bond, this is a roofing technique where slates are laid with a staggered pattern, creating a visual effect where the vertical joints are not aligned, similar to brickwork. This pattern provides a robust and aesthetically pleasing finish, allowing for natural expansion and contraction of the slates.

The patterns blend beautifully with historic rustic architecture, and the enhanced layout allows for good ventilation, which is essential in farm buildings.
The “Hit and Miss” roof is essentially a Scottish concept and is very unusual in Ireland, with some examples in Ulster and the Southeast of the country. Quaker constructed buildings regularly used the style.

This farm building, which is adjoining the visitor’s car park, has been restored in 2025 with welcome financial help from the Heritage Council and the Department of Food, Agriculture and Marine. Visitors wishing to inspect this roof style can do so when the Larchill gardens are open or by appointment.