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SION HILL HOUSE Built
in 1746 Sion Hill is one of five houses built by the
Pope family who made their fortune as wine merchants
during the Napoleonic embargo.  George
and Antoinette bought Sion Hill, with its wonderful
views over the city and River Suir, in 1995 and now
enjoy sharing their home, and its history, with their guests.
Guests enter through the large hall with its antique
furniture and a collection of many interesting and
some rare artefacts are displayed throughout
the house.
There is a living room for guests to use,
which has a piano and there are board games for
those relaxing evenings. The large bedrooms are all
ensuite and have satellite TV, tea and coffee
facilities and heating (electrical heaters).
Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast, taken in the impressive
dining room. Fruit from the garden is served
when in season.
 The
five acres of park and woodland gardens are being
restored to their former glory. 2,000 plants
were transplanted from their previous garden and one
of the first things George and Antoinette did was to
plant 20.000 daffodils and over 400 species of roses
and, thanks to a map in the National Archives,
rediscovered the original paths in the upper part of
the
garden. They have been restoring and
replanting ever
since. 
Tree ferns, bought by George as a
lad, are planted around a hidden fountain, and new
rhododendrons and tender shrubs flourish in the
shelter of the woodland garden. There is a
walled area beside the house packed with George's
treasures, including a camelia that flowers pink,
white and red. There are commemorative trees
planted by the family of a victim of 9/11 and by
Desmond Guinness and Gerry Adams, among
others. Among them is the smallest
rhododendron in the world, with quarter inch leaves.
George gives conducted tours of the gardens which
are open to the public by arrangement.
Waterford City is the capital
of the sunny south east of Ireland. Golf,
walking, fishing, water sports, cycling and horse riding
are all available locally. The county offers a
dazzling coastline, beautiful river valleys and two
dramatic ranges of very accessible mountains. Waterford
has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle
and is home to Waterford Crystal. Not far away is
Dungarven, set in a broad, magnificent bay. In
between are lively and quiet seaside towns like Tramore,
the spectacular Geopark on the Copper Coast and many
lovely mountain and river valley towns and villages FURTHER
INFORMATION *
Credit cards
accepted
* Bus stop outside the house *
Town centre a 15 minute walk
* Ample car parking
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