Discover Emo through two distinct points of interest: the towpath along the Grand Canal, accessible from the village, and nearby Emo Court. St Paul’s Church adds a marble monument to the picture of the village; the mansion combines neoclassical architecture with parkland and garden design.
In the village: the Grand Canal and St Paul’s Church
The towpath along the Grand Canal offers an extensive network of walking and cycling routes. It is directly accessible from the village of Emo and forms part of the Barrow Blueway. The Grand Canal National Heritage Area is a defining feature of the village; at Cormac Aqueduct, it connects with the Stradbally River SAC. The canal route and heritage area therefore stand alongside the monument in St Paul’s Church as distinct points of interest for visitors.
St Paul’s Church in Emo contains a monument commissioned by the Earl of Portarlington for his wife, Aline, Countess of Portarlington. The recumbent effigy in Carrara marble was created by the sculptor Boehm. Its material and form make the monument a striking focal point for anyone interested in sculpture and historical memorials.
Emo Court: Architecture and History
Emo Court is located near the destination and is a neoclassical mansion. James Gandon designed it in 1790 for the Earls of Portarlington and began work that year. The house is one of the few private houses with gardens designed by Gandon. Its neoclassical design reflects the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The present building was completed only about 70 years after work began.
The estate was home to the Earls of Portarlington until the War of Independence. A few years later, Jesuits moved in; the mansion served as the novitiate of the Irish Province, housing about 500 candidates for the order. Major Cholmeley-Harrison took over Emo Court in the 1960s, fully restored it, and opened the gardens and parkland to the public. In 1994, he handed the entire estate over to the people of Ireland.
Parkland, Walks and Garden Design
The gardens and parkland were first laid out in the 18th century. The 250-acre estate is managed by the Office of Public Works and includes 100 acres of parkland, including the lake. Nursery Lake covers 25 acres, and the arboretum about 20 acres. The grounds also include formal lawns and woodland paths lined with notable trees and shrubs. Visitors can walk by the lake, follow the woodland paths and stroll through the gardens. Red squirrels live on the estate. The lime avenue predates the mansion and is a reminder of the original Dawson Court.
The garden statues also provide distinctive points of interest. The statues of the Four Seasons represent Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. The bronze statue of Polyhymnia stands near the house, surrounded by catmint (Nepeta). “The Huntsman and His Dog” is in the area known as “the Clucker”, the statue of Bacchus is in the “Grapery”, and that of Ceres stands at the end of the yew walk. A guided tour of Emo Court includes restored historic rooms on the ground floor and the basement, where visitors can discover the stories and working lives of the house’s servants.
Plan Your Visit and Accommodation
The mansion is open daily from 17 March to 4 November 2026, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For visits after this period, please check the opening hours in effect at the time. The parkland is open year-round, except on Christmas Day; as seasonal conditions may affect access, it is advisable to check the latest notices before your visit.
When looking for a hotel in Emo, it helps to distinguish between the village and its surroundings: the towpath is directly accessible from the village, while Emo Court is nearby. This can help you decide whether the canal routes and village monument or the mansion and its parkland are the main draw for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Killenard, Whitewell, Rathdowney, Durrow, Mountmellick, Ballickmoyler, Rathsallagh, Abbeyleix
Return to the county travel overview: County Laois.
