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Larchill Arcadian Gardens (May-Sept daily noon-6pm; GBP3.50/?4.44) at KILCOCK , four miles west of Maynooth off the N4, are an extremely rare example of a ferme ornee (literally an "ornamental farm"), which were popular amongst rich landowners during the second half of the eighteenth century after a fashion set by Marie Antoinette at Versailles. It's an absolute must for anyone interested in the development of landscape gardening during this period. A circular walk links recently discovered Classical and Gothic follies, ten in all, most notably the island folly "Gibraltar" and the "Foxes' Earth". The latter was built on the instruction of a Mr Watson, a dedicated fox-hunter, who was convinced he would be reincarnated as a fox as retribution and wanted to be sure of a bolt-hole from the hounds in the next life. It appears today as a knobbly grass-covered mound with Gothic tunnels for escape, topped by a cluster of rubble-rough columns. Rare breeds of farm animals are kept in the new ferme ornee in fascinating buildings with turrets and ramparts, and interesting material on the conservation project is to be found in the pleasant tearoom.
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