Ballindoon House (formerly Kingsborough), Derry, Co Sligo
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. 18. “(Stafford-King-Harmon, Bt/PB and sub Kingston, E/PB) An early 19C house with a dome, in the manner of John Nash. Now the home of Mrs Peter Baden-Powell.”
Detached three-bay two-storey-over-basement rendered house, built c. 1820. Rectangular main building with pedimented Doric portico to north front and two-stage engaged domed wing to south front, conservatory c. 1990 to west elevation, single-storey-over-basement pitched-roof east wing with canted oriel window on north elevation c. 1900, linked to main building by two-storey flat-roof building. Hipped artificial pitched slate roof to main building, polycarbonate glazing to dome and conservatory, clay ridge and hip tiles, painted smooth-rendered chimneystacks, moulded cast-iron gutters on moulded eaves cornice. Painted smooth-rendered walling. Projecting plinth to base of domed wing, engaged Doric columns, Doric entablature, plain drum to upper stage. Square-headed window openings, painted stone sills, painted margined timber sash windows. Tripartite plain-glazed ground floor windows to either side of domed wing. Tall square-headed entrance door opening within portico, moulded render architraves, painted timber double doors each with three panels, diagonally-laid stone paving to portico. Gravelled forecourt, lawns to north and south, ha ha to south. Farm to east with single- and two-storey rubble stone pitched-roof rubble stone outbuildings some with cast-iron diamond-paned windows.
Appraisal
This, picturesquely-sited, neo-classical house is of interest for its Greek Doric entrance portico and domed full-height return to the south. The proportions coupled with retention of early fenestration and other details all contribute to its commanding appearance. The very fine range of outbuildings to the east also adds to the completeness of the estate as a whole.
https://theirishaesthete.com/2021/07/10/help-urgently-needed-ii/
Help Urgently Needed II
In a wonderful location looking east across Lough Arrow, Ballindoon, County Sligo was originally called Kingsborough, thereby indicating it was built for a branch of the King family who some lived some 25 miles away at Rockingham, County Roscommon. The latter house was designed by John Nash and Ballindoon has sometimes also been attributed to him, but since it is believed to date from c.1820 perhaps it can only regarded as being in his style: by that date the architect was far too busy with royal commissions in London to have time for an Irish client. Essentially a lake-side villa, Ballindoon is a building of exceptional character, beginning with the immense pedimented Doric portico on the north-facing entrance front, its scale overwhelming the single bays on either side. Similarly the garden front is dominated by an enormous dome-topped bow, with a further series of engaged Doric columns around the ground floor. Unfortunately, like Hollybrook a few miles to the west (see previous entry), Ballindoon has stood empty for some years and is now suffering as a consequence, with what appears to be dry rot appearing on the upper floor: the insertion of uPVC windows throughout the house probably doesn’t help. Ballindoon was offered for sale with 80 acres three years ago, but remains unsold, and accordingly remains at risk.
Pretty as a picture with Sligo lake views for €825,000
Ballindoon House comes with its own chapel, garden lodge, gate lodge, boathouse and stables
Wed, Sep 26, 2018, 06:00
Rose Doyle
Ballindoon is a house that merits an avenue, and has one. A meandering 1.5km through the estate’s ancient woodlands and specimen trees, it gives tantalising views of Lough Arrow as it winds along the 1km of lake frontage that is part of the estate, tantalising splashes of colour passing the Ladies’ Rhododendron Walk before opening at last to Ballindoon House’s new-classical three-bay frontage, to its pedimented Doric portico and side wing.
Architect James Nash designed Ballindoon House in the 1820s; it’s possible the side wing may have originally been an even earlier farmhouse. Ballindoon sits on an elevated 80 acres, has a farmyard with stone-cut buildings such as stables and a chapel, a gate lodge, garden lodge, stone-cut boathouse with slipway – even an old belfry once used to call workers and others to supper from the fields.
The house itself is in need of someone to love it, appreciate its original design, and refurbish, notably the kitchen and bathrooms – but it has a great deal going for it. Agent Wilson Auctions, with a reserve of €825,000, will put house, lands and outbuildings to auction on October 17th.
Nash’s design is cleverly angled so as to give views of the lake and its islands from everywhere in the house. Views give a peaceful feel to all seven bedrooms (four en suite) and views especially dominate in the dome over the main bedroom from where there is a 360-degree view of the skies above and world below.
The extraordinary central hall has decorated doors leading to the dining and other rooms. Original plasterwork fills ceilings and is there too in decorative cornicing. There are original bow windows, canted oriel windows, fireplaces, floorboards and a cantilevered staircase.
The kitchen and sitting room are separate but will probably be opened into one by a new owner. The library (which has a large bay window), drawing and dining rooms are moderately sized. On the ground floor there is also a guest WC, laundry room and staircase hall.
A lower ground/garden floor has been completely gutted and dry-lined and could be used for games rooms, wine cellar or playrooms.
Ballindoon House is 3km from the N4 and a 20-minute drive from Sligo town.
Irish Historic Houses 