See the 1785 folly
Built in 1785 by George de la Poer Beresford, Earl of Tyrone, as a memorial to his son, this round-tower-style folly carries a dedication plaque above its door.
De La Poer Tower
4.5 (108)
About
A 70 ft Georgian folly hidden in Portlaw's oak woods, De La Poer Tower is a free, climbable memorial with a 92-step spiral stair and sweeping five-county views.
Things to Do
Climb the 92-step spiral stair
A stone spiral staircase of 92 steps climbs the inside of the 70 ft tower to an open top; the rim is not enclosed.
Five-county views from the top
On a clear day the summit reveals Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, Tipperary and Kilkenny, plus the Comeragh Mountains and Curraghmore Estate.
Walk the De La Poer Tower Loop
A 4.5 km easy waymarked loop (about an hour) leaves the Tower Hill car park, threading woodland paths and a quiet road to the tower and back.
Explore Tower Hill woods
The surrounding mature oak woodland is a candidate Special Area of Conservation, crossed by old stone field-boundary walls.
Picnic and nearby gardens
There is a bench a short walk from the woods for picnics; Curraghmore House and Gardens and Mount Congreve Gardens are a short drive away.
Plan Your Visit
- Hours: No fixed hours — an unattended, open-access folly in the woods.
- Admission: Free to visit
- Parking: Free car park at Tower Hill (known locally as the 'Black Door') at the top of the Scrouty Road, the start of the loop walk.
- Food: None on site — bring a picnic; there is a bench a short walk from the woods.
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