Ballyglunin Park, Monivea, Co. Galway
Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 22. “(Blake,/IFR) A C18 house of two storeys and three bays, with large mid and late C19 additions at the back of it and to one side. The C18 house has a one bay pedimented breakfront, with a Diocletian window above a Venetian doorway, boht having blocked surrounds. The doorway has been made into a window, the entrance now being at what was originallly the side of the house; in a gable-end of the C19 addition; where there is a very elaborate Victorian stone porch with balustrading and bits of entablature. At the back of C19 range is a squat round tower with a conical roof. Oval room, formerly hall, in centre of C18 front; wiht cornice of mutules, rococo plasterork including eagle over doors adn C19 stencilled decoration on flat of ceiling. Drawing room adjoining with frieze of plasterwork, shouldered doorcases and good chimneypiece of white marble and Siena, with large reclining putti. Victorian staircase. Outbuildings close to house with square pyramidal-roofed tower. Sold ca 1964 by Mr Acheson Blake; now a conference centre of Opus Dei.”
Ballyglunin Park, as seen today, dates back to the 1640s when Martin Blake, high sheriff of Galway, was granted the lands by Charles II. The Blakes were by all accounts important figures in Galway society with a large estate of 10,500 acres that in 1833 was valued in The Great Landowners of Great Britain and Ireland at almost £40,000, equivalent to nearly £10,000,000 today. This must have been a golden age for the family’s fortunes, and it was the period during which parts of the property were upgraded to a style befitting the long-serving MP for Galway, Martin Joseph Blake.
Ballyglunin Park House is a combination of Georgian and Victorian architecture with features dating back to medieval times. Recent extensive renovations, historical research, and local oral history indicate that a medieval castle, or tower house, was located on or near the site of the current house. The most noticeable evidence of this former castle is evident on the initial approach to the house in the unique stone facade of the entry and the large stone tower overlooking the River and walled garden. The facade of the Entry Hall features many components of medieval Irish Castle architecture, which are believed to have been salvaged from an earlier medieval structure. The large stone tower, built during the Victorian era, also features salvaged components of an earlier structure visible in the carved stone window casings. It is believed this structure is a Victorian nod to the medieval Irish Castle that was once located on the property. The oldest feature of the estate, a carved stone crest located in the walled garden, has been dated to the 14th century.
Because the Blake’s were landed Gentry, agriculture was the main priority in their economic interest. The wide spacious farmyard which is located near the rear of the residence was once facilitated with loose bakes and stalls which were lofted, for sheltering horses. There were two garages, a workshop, machinery, sheds, cow houses, saw bench plus a 500 gallon petrol tank with a pump. This farmyard was always busy with the constant murmur of cows, horses, engines, and workers. Today some of the original farmyard has been converted into dorms, the original stonework of the building has been maintained while the arched doorways are still visible. An outstanding feature of the Blake farmyard still present today is the square pyramidal-roofed tower formerly used as a storage area for grain.
According to a letter written in January of 1847, from Ballinasloe Nurseries, the cost of planting a large number of trees in Ballyglunin Park was five pounds and ten shillings. The trees mentioned include: Larch, Hazel, Oak, Beech, Ash, Elm, Sycamore, Poplars, Alders, Hornbeam. Over 170 years later some of these trees are still thriving and can be observed along the front road leading into the Estate.
In 1970 the land was divided into smaller plots by the Land Commission. Many small farmers within the surrounding area were given acreage for farming and cattle rearing. Today Ballyglunin Park consists of 32 acres of pasture, gardens, and forest.
Irish Historic Houses 