Ballyowen (formerly New Park), Cashel, Co Tipperary – tours
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. 27. “(Pennefather, sub Freese-Pennefeather/LGI1958); McCan, sub Power and O’Connell/IFR) A house of three storeys over basement built ca 1750 by the Pennefather family. Six bay front; two bay pedimented breakfront; Venetian doorway framed by frontispiece of four engaged Corinthian columns and entablature with a Venetian window on either side. Prominent roof; lunette window in pediment. Two bay side. Main staircase rising to top storey. Plaster ceiling in drawing room similar to one at Glin Castle. Pedimented stable block at side of house. Sold after the Famine to the Davies family. Resold 1864 to the McCan family”
Detached T-plan six-bay three-storey over half-basement country house, built c. 1760, with two-bay pedimented breakfront. Hipped slate roof with rendered chimneystacks having square pots, hexagonal lantern over stairs, carved limestone eaves course and cornice, and cast-iron rainwater goods. Lantern has leaded sides and glazed roof. Painted rendered walls with cut limestone plinth course. Square-headed window openings with limestone sills, having timber sliding sash windows, three-over-three pane to second floor and three-over-six pane to first floor. Venetian window openings to ground floor comprising round-headed six-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows with fanlights having decorative ogee detailing and flanked by detached four-over-four pane timber sliding sash side-lights. Lunette-shaped timber-framed window to pediment. Some rear basement windows barred. Entrance comprises engaged Corinthian columns with entablature and dentillated cornice inset with round-headed door opening having moulded render surround and keystone, decorative spandrels, sunburst fanlight and timber panelled double doors, flanked by decorative leaded sidelights. Flight of limestone steps to front elevation with cast-iron railings. Yard to rear of house comprises three ranges of outbuildings and cut limestone segmental-arched carriage arch. Multiple-bay two-storey outbuilding to south range has pitched slate roof, rendered and red brick chimneystacks, and cut limestone bellcote. Painted rendered walls, slate-hung east gable, square-headed openings with three-over-three pane timber sliding sash windows with limestone sills to upper floor and timber battened doors. Nine-bay single-storey outbuilding to south range has pitched slate roof, rendered rubble stone walls and square-headed openings with timber fittings. Eight-bay two-storey outbuilding to west of yard has hipped slate roof with brick chimneystack, painted rendered walls, two-bay pedimented breakfront with lunette window openings and depressed three-centred headed carriage arches with double-leaf timber battened doors, and square-headed door openings and window openings with timber louvred fittings to upper floor and three-over-six pane timber sliding sash windows to lower floor. Seven-bay single-storey outbuilding, formerly pair of workers’ houses, to north of yard has lean-to sheet metal roof, painted rubble stone walls, and square-headed openings with cut limestone voussoirs and timber replacement windows and timber battened doors. Outbuildings to yard to north have pitched and hipped slate roofs, rendered walls and square-headed openings with timber fittings, one with elliptical-headed carriage arch with cut limestone voussoirs and keystone. Walled garden to south-west of house. Entrance to avenue has rendered piers and decorative cast-iron double-leaf gates.
Built by the Pennef(e)ather family in the eighteenth century, the burgeoning interest of the time in classical antiquity is evident in its use of Serlian window motifs, and a Corinthian order with capitals like those of the Pantheon in Rome. The diminishing windows, pedimented breakfront, decorative restraint, and fanlighted door are also evidence of classical influence. The sculpted door surround, and the leaded fanlights to the windows as well as doors are evidence of the craftsmanship used and the status accorded to this building. Retaining much of its demesne and set in a mature landscape, it makes an interesting group with the outbuildings, gate lodge, walled garden and gates and railings.
https://www.ballyowenhouse.ie/
Ballyowen House is situated close to one of Ireland’s leading historical heritage site ‘The Rock of Cashel’. Whilst in this beautiful part of Ireland why not pay a visit to historic Ballyowen House. You will get a first hand account of this other historic gem which is located only 4 miles from Cashel.
- At Ballyowen House we offer tour groups a wonderful opportunity to experience life in a beautiful old Country House which dates back to 1750. We offer a tour of approx 1 hour, and we will invite you to the dining room of the main house for coffees, teas and scones etc. at the end.
- Over the centuries this old place has accumulated a fascinating history and we will share interesting and colourful events from it’s past with you. Ranging from ancient times up to the Irish War of Independence, with lots of colourful details!
- We will show you around the Main Rooms of the house, and give a talk on it’s several fine features, many with amusing stories to tell
- We will also give you a tour of Ballyowen’s grounds where you can see the beautiful centuries old stable block and barns brought back to life as an active horse showjumping training facility today, where horses are kept in the same stables used centuries ago to keep horses for the Ballyowen’s horse drawn carriages.
- The beautiful grounds also include a walled garden which we are restoring. It includes an unusual woodfire heated “vine” wall to help the growing of grapes! It also has an ornamental lake and beautiful old specimen trees and woods, ideal for a lazy Summer stroll…
- The big difference with Ballyowen is that it is the fully lived in family home of the hosts and their young family and the grounds, stable yard and farm are active and functioning, this is where we live!
Ballyowen is set in a well chosen, elevated site and surrounded by acres of fine, mature parkland including an ancient hillside woodland to the rear. Lines of elegant beech trees also add to the natural tranquility
“To quote Yeats, Peace certainly “comes dripping slow” at Ballyowen.”
Tour Package involves a guided tour of approx 1 hour conducted by the owners both in the main rooms of the beautiful Ballyowen House and of the Stableyard and grounds outside. The visit will be hosted by the owners and visitors will also be treated to teas, coffees and freshly baked scones in Ballyowen House’s elegant main dining room at the end.
The tour will include very lively and interesting talks and will cover the following:
- History – Ballyowen House has fascinating political links to Ireland’s turbulent past from Cromwellian times to the Irish War of Independence, with plenty of intrigue included.
- Architecture – outstanding classical Georgian country house built in 1750 with numerous curious details, and a window into life in the past, and many odd stories!
- Grounds and Stable Yard – Ballyowen is set in an elegant parkland setting with a beautiful restored stable yard and fully active horse training facility for showjumping horses, and a few surprises?
- Woodland Walks – The landscaped parkland grounds around Ballyowen House include a fascinating walled garden, ornamental lake, ancient specimen trees and beautiful walks through old adjoining hillside woodlands, fairies have been seen there too…
Extra
Attractions
Extra Attractions – The hosts also intend to provide additional interesting attractions or activities for visitors and will gladly respond to feedback or preferences from our visitors. Such attractions or activities can include:
- Vintage car on site to experience life in the past.
- Archery (by arrangement).
- Clay Pigeon Shooting (by arrangement).
- Meet some newborn lambs (early season)
Irish Historic Houses 