Sarah This is the Sculpture of Laocoon. We will tell you about him, and various lords who lived here in the 18th Century. AnthonyLaocoon and his two sons are being devoured by sea serpents. Alex Why? Anthony When the Greeks pretended to give up the siege of Troy, they left a wooden horse at the gates, with soldiers hiding inside it. Laocoon tried to warn the Trojans that it was a trick. Sarah Thus the saying - ‘Never trust Greeks bearing gifts’. Anthony But the Gods were on the side of the Greeks. Alex Absolutely. They were Greek Gods. Anthony Apollo sent the sea serpents to silence Laocoon. Sarah The 6th Lord Powerscourt Richard bought this sculpture on a trip to Rome. It is copy of a Greek original. Alex It took two weeks to drag the granite base on rollers from the townland of Glencree, located 8km from Powerscourt. Anthony With the garden designer Daniel Robertson sat comfortably on top giving directions to his workers.THE FRENCH LORD Sarah Dorothy Rowley’s son Richard acquired polished manners in France. He became known as the ‘French’ Lord Powerscourt.' Anthony He was a popular and progressive barrister. He campaigned against slavery with the Irish statesman Edmund Burke. Sarah Dorothy lived long enough to see Richard build the magnificent Powerscourt Townhouse in Dublin. THE PRIESTS CURSE Anthony And Paris came to Powerscourt in 1798. The Rebellion of the United Irishmen was inspired by the French Revolution. A revolutionary mob arrived to burn Powerscourt down. The 4th Lord Powerscourt Richard barricaded himself into the house. The local priest arrived to calm his parishioners. In the dark, he was accidentally shot from the house. Alex The story goes that the dying priest cursed the Wingfields. No eldest son would ever live to reach adulthood. Anthony Thankfully the curse did not work and I am here today!