Beyond the entrance gate to Cremona, lies a garden of mysteries waiting to be discovered. There is a pathway that leads visitors through the gardens along the Campaign Trail, constantly changing throughout the seasons.
Taking about 20 minutes to complete this walk provides opportunities to stop and discover the many artifacts along the way. These include items from a time period spanning over four centuries.
Perhaps the most fascinating item you will see along the route is the Siege Cannon. Stand against Europe’s largest replica Napoleonic Siege Cannon, (Le Gribeauval) weighing seven tons, including muzzle blast. The fallen tree was carved by master tree carver John Hayes from a 26 metre tall Beech tree which fell during Storm Erik, night of 10th Feb 2019 or (10 Thimele month of Pluviose, the year 214 in the French Revolutionary calendar). Planted at Cremona in or about 1870, (counting trunk growth rings) a time before the telephone and light bulb had been invented, a time when Parisians were surrounded by the Prussian army, starving them into submission and when Ireland itself was still struggling in the aftermath of the Great Famine of 1847).
Watch out for Cremona’s topiary, the art of sculpting hedges, carved into life-size shapes of Napoleonic sentries standing to attention, drummers and standard bearers.
The Horse made of horse shoes or the Reflections Lake which offers the chance of seeing the ducks and herons that call Cremona home. Take a moment to sit and relax by the lake and listen to the peaceful sound of the water fountain.
Sentry Huts. Feel free to peruse the books and old newspapers, with breaking news from times past.
Another rare item you will see along the trail is the Famine Pot a reminder to the present and future generations of a grim period in our history. The humble famine pots’ sole purpose was to feed the starving population in the packed workhouses and in temporary soup kitchens set up around the country during “an Gorta Mor” the great hunger of 1845-1852.
There are many more interesting objects on display for you to enjoy along the trail.
