I have been exploring the beautiful photographs of Robert French in the National Library of Ireland this week. The Dictionary of Irish Biography tells us about the wonderful photographer who took such clear precisely composed photographs:

“French, Robert (1841–1917), photographer, was born 11 November 1841 in Dublin, eldest of the seven children of William French, a court messenger, and Ellen French (née Johnson). At the age of nineteen, in September 1860, he joined the Constabulary (later RIC) as a sub-constable, giving his occupation as ‘porter’. He was stationed at the barracks at Glenealy, Co. Wicklow. Having served almost two years, he resigned in August 1862.“

“French next found employment in Dublin as a photographic printer, possibly at the portrait studio operated by John Fortune Lawrence at 39 Grafton Street. He later joined the more successful studio run by John Fortune’s brother, William Mervin Lawrence (1840–1932), which opened at 7 Upper Sackville (later O’Connell) Street in March 1865. Progressing upwards through the grades of printer, colourer-retoucher and assistant photographer, he attained the rank of photographer in the mid-1870s. Meanwhile, William Mervin Lawrence had developed a lucrative trade in the sale of topographical views and he gave French the task of providing a comprehensive range of scenic photographs representing all parts of the country. French performed this role with dedication and distinction for almost forty years until his retirement in 1914.

“French’s function was to provide photographs for a market that favoured views of picturesque landscapes, seaside resorts, and the streets of cities, towns, and villages. Lawrence was in charge of marketing strategy and planned French’s itineraries, but French selected the individual views. He travelled throughout the country, identifying and photographing appropriate subjects, generating stocks of negatives from which Lawrence’s printers produced multiple images for sale in the medium of prints, stereoscopic views, and lantern slides. The images were also widely used in commercial advertising and in publications designed for the tourist market, particularly in the extensive postcard trade that Lawrence developed in the late 1890s. As people wanted views that were up-to-date, many of the images, particularly those of urban scenes, were periodically retired and replaced, the replacements almost invariably being taken from the same optimum viewpoint. The photographs presented the more positive aspects of Ireland and contemporary Irish life, with evidence of social deprivation appearing only incidentally, and with few instances of social or political conflict other than a relatively small number of eviction scenes.“

“French married, 1 December 1863, at St Peter’s church, Dublin, Henrietta Jones, daughter of Griffith Jones, a farmer at Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. The couple had eleven children, some of whom long afterwards recalled their father as a fervent unionist, fond of singing rather loudly in the congregation at St Patrick’s cathedral, and infuriatingly painstaking when taking family photographs. He is portrayed in a number of his own photographs as a dignified figure with a fine full beard. In his later years he lived on Ashfield Avenue, Ranelagh. He died 24 June 1917.

“While French played a central role in the success of the Lawrence firm, which dominated the photographic trade nationally for a generation, his historical significance arises from the extensive archive of surviving negatives. These make up the greater part of the Lawrence collection (held by the National Photographic Archive in Dublin), amounting to approximately 30,000 of the 45,000 images in the collection. They reveal him as a talented and extremely competent photographer. His compositions presented sites to best advantage, and the images are invariably sharp and engaging and suggest the inherent atmosphere of the place. The predominant factor, however, is that the photographs provide an invaluable visual record of urban and rural Ireland over a period of almost forty years. They document the process of change and modernisation in various aspects of environment and society, reflecting the considerable economic and social progress in the decades of relative peace and prosperity leading up to the first world war. While engaged in the relatively mundane profession of commercial photographer, French emerged as one of the foremost chroniclers of his generation, albeit unwittingly, and endowed posterity with a unique cultural and educational resource.” [2]

As you can see as I work my way though the contents of Mark Bence-Jones’s A Guide to Irish Country Houses [1], there are thousands of “big houses” in Ireland – though many are “houses of middle size.”

Note that the majority of these are private houses, not open to the public. I discovered “my bible” of big houses by Mark Bence-Jones only after I began this project of visiting historic houses that have days that they are open to the public (Section 482 properties).

This is a project I have been working on for a while, collecting pictures of houses. Enjoy! Feel free to contact me to send me better photographs if you have them! I’ll be adding letters as I go…

[1] 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.

Daisy Hill (see Roe Park), Derry 

Dalgan Park, Kilmaine, Co Mayo 

“A two storey early C19 Classical house of cut limestone. Nine bay front, the three centre bays being framed by Ionic pilasters; medallion and plaque over entrance door. Parapeted roof. Bow at end. Impressive hall with Corinthian columns, lit by dome.” [1]

Dalyston, Loughrea, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

“A good three storey late C18 house built for Rt Hon Denis Daly, MP. Three bay entrance front, of cut stone; tripartite doorcase with pilasters and pediment extending over door and sidelights; plain window surrounds. Deep and elaborately moulded roof cornice. Plain five bay side elevation. Small room off hall with decorated ceiling… Now a ruin.” [1]

Damer House, Roscrea, Co Tipperary – open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/10/03/damer-house-and-roscrea-castle-county-tipperary-office-of-public-works-properties/

Danesfort (formerly Clanwilliam House), Belfast, County Antrim 

“One of the finest High-Victorian mansions in Ireland, built 1864 for Samuel Barbour to the design of William J. Barre. Described by Mr Brett as “a sort of a French-Italian chateau”; dominated by a tall and very ornate tower with a mansard roof resting on an arcade of what Mr Brett calls “square cabbage columns” which constitutes a porte-cochere.” [1]

Danesfort, County Kilkenny

“A two storey C18 house with a handsome front of two bays on either side of a pedimented centre, with a Venetian window above a round-headed doorway between two windows. Blocked window surrounds; heavy roof cornice with urns; round-headed window in pediment. The two bays on either side of the centre were treated as pavilions and carried up into the attic storey by a lunette; these were later raised and battlemented to give the impression of Gothic towers, which, like the entrance gates of Castle Martyr, revealed themselves to be no more than stage scenery when viewed from the side... Now demolished.” [1]

Dangan Castle, Trim, Co Meath – a ruin 

“The seat of the Wesley family, inherited by Richard Colley who assumed the name of Wesley (which later became Wellesley) and was created Lord Mornington; his son, 1^st Earl of Mornington, was the father of the great Duke of Wellington, who, according to tradition, was born here. The house appears to have been early to mid C18, of two storeys and with a solid roof parapet; it was described (1739) as having “a noble piazza of seven curious turned arches in front of it.” Near the house was a stable block with central turret and pedimented ends. The grounds were said to (1739) to boast of at least 25 obelisks, a Rape of Prosperine weighing three tons, and a fort with cannon which fired salutes on family birthdays down by the lake; where three vessels – a 20 ton mar of war, a yacht and a packet boat – rode at anchor.” [1]

Daramona House, Street, Co Westmeath 

The National Inventory tells us it is: “Three-bay two-storey country house, built c.1855, with a projecting tetrastyle cut stone Doric entrance porch to the centre of the front facade. A very fine and elegant mid nineteenth-century Italianate essay with the rear pavilions adding substance this medium-sized house. It is one of the most attractive houses of its type and date in Westmeath.” 

Dardistown Castle, Co Meath – section 482 in 2019 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2019/07/19/dardistown-castle-county-meath/

Dargan Villa, Co Dublin (see Mount Anville) 

Dartrey House (formerly Dawson’s Grove), Co Monaghan – demolished

“A large Elizabethan-Revival mansion by William Burn, built in 1846 to replace an earlier house of about 1770.…The Elizabethan-Revival mansion which took the place of this house, built by Richard Dawson, 3rd Lord Cremorne and later 1st Earl of Dartrey, had long and somewhat monotonous elevations of curvilinear gables, mullioned windows and oriels, with, sporadically, a square turret and cupola. There were numerous Tudor chimneys, a generous application of strapwork and a two-tier terrace along the garden front with many yards of latticed balustrading.” [1]

Darver Castle, Dundalk, Co Louth – accommodation

See their website https://www.darvercastle.ie/home/ 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-louth-leinster/

Davidstown House, Castledermot, Co Kildare 

“A plain three storey Georgian block, with a five bay front and sides of five and four bays; extended at back by two storey wings, to form a small three sided court. The entrance front has a magnificent doorway with a delicately leaded fanlight and side-lights, engaged Ionic columns and a baseless pediment extending over all. Late C18 and C19 interior plasterwork.” [1]

Dawson’s Grove (see Dartrey House), Co Monaghan  

Dean’s Hill, Armagh, County Armagh 

“Formerly the Deanery. A Georgian house built 1772-74 by Very Rev Hugh Hamilton, Dean (C of I) of Armagh, subsequently Bishop of Clonfert and Bishop of Ossory; altered 1887 under the supervision of J.H. Fullerton; a wing added 1896 to the design of H.C. Parkinson.” [1]

Debsborough, Nenagh, Co Tipperary 

Deel Castle (see Castle Gore), Ballina, Co Mayo – lost 

The Deeps, Crossabeg, Co Wexford 

Deerfield (United States Ambassador’s Residence), Dublin 

“A house originally built 1776 by Sir John Blaquiere, MP (afterwards raised to 1^st Lord de Blaquiere), Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant and one of the leading figures in the political life  of Ireland during later C18; in a demesne carved out of Phoenix Park which he obtained on the strength of being the Park’s bailiff. In 1782, he was asked to surrender the house and grounds in return for some compensation, and the house became the official residence of the Chief Secretary, the principal executive of the government of Ireland under British rule. The house was enlarged and altered at various times, but has a predominantly late-Georgian character; of two storeys, with a bowed projection at either end of its principal front. Along this front is a fine enfilade of reception rooms. A large glass conservatory was added at one end 1852 by Lord Naas (afterwards 6^th Earl of Mayo and Viceroy of India), while he was Chief Secretary. Later in the century, probably 1865 during the Chief Secretaryship of Chichester Fortescue (afterwards Lord Carlingford), the two bowed projections were joined by a single-storey corridor, into which were thrown the centre rooms, making them much deeper; the main wall of the house being carried by Ionic columns. The house became afterwards the United States Legation 1927, afterwards the Embassy.” [1] And it’s now the Ambassador’s Residence.

Delaford, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin – ‘lost’ 

“A three storey house, originally an inn, onto which an elegant single storey bow ended front was built ca 1800 by Alderman Bermingham. The front is of five bays, the two bays on either side breaking forwards; the slightly recessed centre being emphasised by two urns on the parapet. In the centre is a very wide fanlighted tripartite doorway, the segmental fanlight extending over the door and the sidelights, which have curving astragals. Large bow-ended rooms on either side of the hall.” [1]

Delamont Park, Killyleagh, County Down

“A mildly Tudor-Revival early to mid c-19 house, rather like a simplified version of one of Richard Vitruvius Morrison’s Tudor houses. Of two storeys, plus an attic with dormer-gables. Front with central polygonal bow, raised above the skyline to give the effect of a tower, flanked by two narrow oriels topped by dormer-gables. Irregular gabled side elevation, considerably longer than front. Slender polygonal turret with cupola at back of house. Altered 1968, to the design of Mr Arthur Jury.” [1]

Delville, Glasnevin, Co Dublin – ‘lost’ 

“A two storey early C18 house with five bay front… In C18 the seat of Dr Patrick Delany, Dean of Down, whose wife was the famous Mrs Delany, the letter writer and autobiographer. Together, they landscaped the grounds…It had a grotto, and an Ionic temple, which Mrs Delany painted with a fresco of St. Paul, and a medaliion bust of Mrs Johnson, “Stella”, who in the past used to come here with Swift. In 1837, Delville was the residence of S. Gordon. Towards end of C19, it was the residence of Sir Patrick Keenan, whose niece, Daisy, Countess of Fingall, a prominent figure in the Irish Revival as well as in Edwardian fashionable society, had her wedding reception here. The temple was demolished 1940s, and the house some time post 1951.” [1]

Delvin Lodge, Gormanston, Co Meath 

“A plain three storey house with gables and dormer gables. Now a convent.” [1]

John Jameson acquired the Bow Street distillery in 1780 and by 1800 Jameson’s were the second largest producer of whiskey in Ireland and one of the largest in the world. James, the second son of John Jameson of Prussia Street, Dublin, established himself at Delvin Lodge.

In 1957 the Sisters of St. Clare acquired Delvin Lodge and opened a guest house for ladies needing a place for retirement but not requiring nursing care. The house was extended in the 1960s.  The property is now in use as a privately operated nursing home. 

Derk, Pallasgreen Co Limerick 

“A two storey house of ca 1770 with an eaved roof; five bay entrance front; pedimented and fanlighted Ionic doorcase; pedimented centre window above.” [1]

Derrabard, Omagh, County Tyrone

“A two storey Georgian house of rough stone blocks with ashlar facings…The house was derelict and falling into ruin by 1970.” [1]

Derreen House,  Lauragh, County Kerry – garden section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/07/derreen-gardens-lauragh-tuosist-kenmare-co-kerry/

The Derries, Co Laois (see Ballyshanduffe House) 

Derry House, Roscarbery, Co Cork – burnt 1922  

“A house of late Georgian appearance… A seat of the Townshends; inherited by Charlotte Frances Payne-Townshend, wife of George Bernard Shaw, who sold it. Derry was the home of A.M.Sullivan, KC, the last Irish Serjeant-at-Law. It was burnt ca 1922.” [1]

Derrycarne, Dromod, Co Leitrim – derelict 

“A house on a promontory in the River Shannon between Lough Boderg and Lough Bofin, consisting of a two storey three bay bow-ended late Georgian front with Wyatt windows and an enclosed Doric porch; and a two storey 4 bay castellated wing extending back at right angles. Now derelict.” [1]

Derrylahan Park, Riverstown, Co Tipperary – burnt 1921

“A High Victorian house with steep gables and roofs, plate glass windows and decorative iron cresting on the ridges. Built 1862 at a cost of £15,000, to the design of Sir Thomas Newenham Deane. Burnt 1921.” [1]

Derrymore House, Bessbrook, County Armagh – National Trust, open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-armagh-northern-ireland/

Derrymore, Co Westmeath – lost 

Derrynane House, Caherdaniel, Kerry – OPW

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/11/07/office-of-public-works-properties-in-munster-counties-kerry-and-waterford/

Derryquin Castle, Co Kerry – ‘lost’

Derryvolgie, Lisburn, County Antrim

“A square two storey house of ca 1840 with an eaved roof and an iron veranda, built onto a cottage said to date from the early C18 or late C17. Enlarged 1898 by S.W. Ewart, who added a wing with three sided bow surmounted by a half-timbered gable. The interior appears to have been altered at about the same time: a large hall formed by making an arch between the staircase hall, which contains a curving staircase, and the adjoining room; both rooms being given fretted ceilings; while the drawing room was given a frieze of Georgian style plasterwork and an Adam Revival chimneypiece set under an inglenook arch. Sold 1972 by Sir Ivan Ewart, 6^th and present Bt, to the Ministry of Defence.” [1]

Derryvoulin House, Woodford, Co Galway 

“A two storey three bay late C18 house. One bay breakfront; fanlighted doorway, surround with blocking. Ground floor wider than those above. Single-storey projection at side.” [1]

Desart Court/Dysart, Co Kilkenny – ‘lost’ 

“A Palladian house consisting of a centre block of two storeys over basement joined to two storey wings by curved sweeps; built ca 1733 for John Cuffe, 1^st Lord Desart, almost certainly to the design of Sir Edward Lovett Pearce. Centre block with seven bay front; central feature of four superimposed engaged Doric and Ionic columns and Doric entablature. Rusticated niche over rusticated doorway; ground floor windows also rusticated. Balustraded roof parapet; perron with double steps. Rusticated basement. Engaged Doric columns on curved sweeps. In the garden front of the centre block the entire lower storey was rusticated and the central feature consisted only of four engaged Ionic columns in the upper storey. there was also a balustraded parapet on this side and a large perron. Hall with wood dado, plasterwork panels, pedimented doorcases and ceiling of elaborate rococo plasterwork. In separate halls at each end of the house were two grand staircases with magnificent carved scroll balustrades; leading up to a bedroom corridor lit by a lantern. the drawing room, in the centre of the garden front, had a ceiling of rococo plasterwork similar to that in the hall. The house was burnt 1923, it was afterwards rebuilt by Lady Kathleen Milborne-Swinnerton-Pilkington, daughter of 4^th Earl of Desart; the architect of the rebuilding being Richard Orpen. Some years later, however, it was sold and then demolished.” [1]

Doe Castle, Creeslough, Co Donegal  – can visit, OPW 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/01/18/office-of-public-works-properties-ulster/

Dolanstown, Knocknatulla, Co Meath

“An early C18 house of two storeys and seven bays, with a central breakfront, a Venetian window and a tall pedimented doorcase. Brackets under eaves on one side rather similar to those at Eyrescourt Castle, Co Galway.” [1]

Dollardstown, Slane, Co Meath – a ruin

“A house grandly remodelled in red brick ca 1730 for Arthur Meredyth, probably by Richard Castle. Three storey over a high basement with a parapet-attic of blind windows above the cornice. Seven bay front, three bay breakfronted centre, with Castle’s favourite sequence of a blind oculus above a niche above the entrance doorway, which is pedimented and pillared. Two bay side elevation, with Venetian windows in both principal storeys, triple windows above and triple blind windows in the attic and also in the basement; which, instead of being brick faced with stone, is of stone faced with brick. The principal front is flanked by two tall pedimented pavilions. Passed by inheritance to the Somerville (Athlumney) family; occupied by a farmer as early as 1837. Now a ruin.” [1]

Dolly’s Grove, Dunboyne, County Meath

“A two storey late-Georgian house; three bay front, with ground floor windows set in arched recesses; four bay side. Oval staircase. In 1814, the residence of James Hamilton.” [1]

Donacomper, Celbridge, Co Kildare 

“A house enlarged and very successfully remodelled in Tudor-Revival by William Kirkpatrick ca 1835. Simple elevations with partly-stepped gables, mullioned windows and hood-mouldings; polygonal lantern and cupola. Lofty hall with timbered ceiling. Drawing room funning full depth of house with good plasterwork ceiling. Library of great beauty; ribbed timber ceiling, oak bookcases with carving and Gothic tracery, original C19 wallpaper in brown and gold. Staircase newels carved to resemble swans.” [1]

Donadea Castle, Co Kildare  – ‘lost’  

“A medieval and C17 castle, with a bowed centre of ca 1800 by Richard Morrison. Medieval doorways and fireplaces in some rooms. Doric entablatures in others on the first floor. Castellated gateway. Bequeathed by Miss C.M. Aylmer 1935 to the Church of Ireland, by which is was subsequently sold. The castle is now a ruin.” [1]

Donaghadee Manor House (Manor House Donaghadee), County Down

“A plain two storey Georgian house with its entrance front behind railings on the High Street of the town; six bay entrance front with pillared porch; three sided bow in side elevation.” [1]

Donaghcloney (see Straw Hill), County Down 

The Donahies (Newbrook House), Co Dublin – ‘lost’ 

“A two storey three bay Georgian house faced with attractive brick. Pillared porch, three sided end bows. Adamesque interior plasterwork. Seat of the Casey family. Now demolished.” [1]

Donamon Castle, Roscommon, County Roscommon

“A c15 castle with a tall arch between its towers, like that at Bunratty Castle, given regular sash windows and Georgian-Gothic battlements towards end of C18 and further altered and enlarged mid c19. Staircase gallery with plaster fan vaulting. Now owned by the Divine Word Missions.” [1]

Donard House, County Wicklow

A two-storey five bay house with a fanlighted doorway.

Donard Lodge (and Spa House), Newcastle,  County Down– demolished  

“A distinguished two storey Classical house of granite ashlar, built in two stages 1830s by 3^rd Earl Annesley as a marine residence. The architect at first was John Lynn, who later acted merely as contractor, carrying out plans by Thomas Duff, of Newry, and his partner, Thomas Jackson, of Belfast. Entrance front with central projecting bay (in fact a two storey porch) and a boldly projecting three sided bow at either side; the centre being joined on each side to the projecting ends by short Doric colonnade; one of these colonnades serving as the entrance portico, the door being in one side of the central projection. Garden front with curved and three sided bows and round headed ground floor windows. Elegant semi-circular conservatory by John Lynn at one end of the house. Donard Lodge is now demolished.” [1]

Donegal Castle, Donegal Town  – can visit, OPW

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/01/18/office-of-public-works-properties-ulster/

Doneraile Court, near Mallow, Cork   

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/04/19/doneraile-court-county-cork-an-office-of-public-works-property/

Donore House, Prosperous, Co Kildare – ‘lost’  

“A two storey late C18 house of brick, with wings extending back to form a U plan. Pedimented ionic doorcase in central three sided bow with three bays on either side, the end bays projecting slightly. now a ruin.” [1]

Donore, Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath – demolished

Doolistown, Trim, Co Meath – a ruin 

“A two storey three bay Georgian house with good doorcase... Now a ruin.” [1]

The Doon, Togher, County Offaly 

“A square two storey house built 1798 by R.J. Enraght-Moony, incorporating a late C17 or early C18 house which had been the dower house when the family lived in the old castle nearby. Three bay front with single-storey portico; three bay side.” [1]

Doonass, Clonlara, Co Clare

“A two storey hosue of ca 1820 in the late Georgian-villa style. Entrance front with slightly recessed centre, one bay on either side, the windows set in two storey blind arches. Fanlighted doorway under two windows in centre; Wyatt windows on either side in lower storey. Eaved roof; curved bow at side. The back wing of the house has been demolished. A noteable folly tower dating from ca 1760 stands down by the river. It has a detached turret for a spiral staircase. A hell-fire club is said to have met there.” [1] 

 Doory Hall, Ballymahon, Co Longford – ruin

“A house of ca 1820, by John Hargrave, of Cork. Two storey, five bay, centre bay projecting. Pediment, wide entance door under porch with fluted Doric columns, wide window over. Carved bow at end. Now a ruin.” [1]

Downhill Castle (or House), near Coleraine, County Derry – ruin, open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-derry-northern-ireland/

Dowth Hall, near Slane, County Meath 

“A small and extremely elegant mid-C18 house, built for 6^th Viscount Netterville; with a two storey front, but with an extra storey fitted in as a mezzanine at the back. The front, of ashlar, is five bay; the lower storey is rusticated; the windows in the upper storey are higher than those below, and have alternate triangular and segmental pediments over them. Urns on roofline; pedimented doorway with Doric columns and frieze. Splendid interior plasterwork, possibly by Robert West, who may in fact have been the architect. Doric frieze in hall. Beautiful rococo decoration on walls and ceiling of drawing room. Dining room ceiling with birds and clouds. Library with simple rococo ceiling and swags on walls.” [1]

Drenagh House (formerly Fruit Hill), Limavady, County Derry 

Drenagh Estate & Gardens

It tells us “Nestled in beautiful parkland and surrounded by our gardens, you will find our grand Georgian Mansion House which is perfect for weddings, family get togethers, corporate events and much more.“

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-derry-northern-ireland/

Drewstown, Athboy, Co Meath

“An imposing three storey stone house of ca 1745, attributed to Francis Bindon, built for Barry Barry. Seven bay entrance front with three bay central breakfront; round-headed window framed by pilasters and segmental entablatures in the centre of each of two upper storeys; ground floor windows with rusticated surrounds, shouldered architraves round windows in upper storeys. Later enclosed porch with fanlight and Ionic columns and pilasters. Curved bow in one side elevation, but not in the other. Two storey hall with the staircase rising behind a bridge-gallery; a rare feature in Irish country houses at this date, though there is another example of it only a couple of miles away across the Westmeath border at Ballinlough Castle. As at Ballinlough, both the stair and gallery have slender wooden balusters; and there is C18 panelling on the walls. The doorcases, both upstairs and down, have heavy triangular or segmented pediments; and the ceiling is decorated with somewhat bucolic plasterwork.” [1]

Drimina House, Sneem, Co Kerry 

“A gabled Victorian house on the shores of Sneem Harbour. Noted sub-tropical garden.” [1]

Drimnagh Castle, Dublin – sometimes open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/09/19/drimnagh-castle-dublin-open-to-public/

Dripsey Castle, Dripsey, Co Cork 

A three storey Georgian house with a pedimented breakfront centre. Old castle nearby.

Drishane Castle & Gardens, Drishanemore, Millstreet Town, Co. Cork – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/01/11/drishane-castle-gardens-drishanemore-millstreet-town-co-cork/

Drishane House, Castletownsend, County Cork  – section 482  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2021/03/07/drishane-house-castletownshend-co-cork/

Dromahair Castle, Dromahair, Co Leitrim

“A large “strong-house” built 1626 by Sir Wiliam Villiers, 1^st Bt, whose half-brother, James I’s and Charles I’s favourite, the Duke of Buckingham, was granted an extensive tract of land here. It had blank, forward facing gables and many massive chimney-stacks. Now a ruin.” [1]

Dromana, Co Waterford – section 482, Accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2021/02/06/dromana-house-cappoquin-co-waterford/

Dromaneen Castle, Banteer, Co Cork  

A gabled early C17 semi-fortified house on a rock above the river Blackwater; now a ruin. Entrance court with Jacobean doorway. [1]

Dromin House, Dunleer, Co Louth 

“Georgian house of two storeys over basement; five bay front with later porch; parapeted roof.” [1]

Dromkeen, Co Cavan – convent 

“A two storey early C19 house; front of two bays on either side of a central three sided bow, crowned with battlemented gables and finials. Plain entablatures over ground floor windows. Now a convent and much altered.” [1]

Dromkeen House, Pallasgreen, co Limerick 

“A gable ended Georgian house of two storeys over basement and five bays. Simple doorcase.” [1]

Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co. Clare – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/01/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-clare/

Dromore (Old), Co Cork (see Old Dromore)  

Dromore Bishop’s Palace, Dromore, County Down 

“A fine three storey late C18 block, built 1781 by Hon William Beresford, Bishop (C of I) of Dromore, afterwards Bishop of Ossory, Archbishop of Tuam and 1^st Lord Decies. “Improved” by Beresford’s successor, Thomas Percy, the antiquary and poet, who laid out plantations, gardens and a glen, adorned with painted obelisks. In Bishop Percy’s time, the Palace was frequented by a circle of poets and painters, notably the poet Thomas Stott and the painter Thomas Robinson, a pupil of Romney. Sold 1842, when the diocese of Dromore was merged with Down and Connor; used for some years in late C19 as a school, and after that, empty; now ruinous.” [1]

Dromore Castle, Pallaskenry,  County Limerick – ‘lost’ 

“The most archaeologically correct C19 Irish castle, rising from a wooded ridge above a lough; built 1867-70 for 3^rdEarl of Limerick to the design of the English architect and “aesthete” Edward William Godwin, who measured and studied the construction of at least a dozen old Irish castles before producing his plans. The grouping, the strength of detail, the solidness of the light grey stonework all make it a building of exceptional quality. A tall main block, with a massive keep at one end balanced by a reproduction of an ancient Irish round tower at teh other, has a lower hall range attached to it at right angles, as a Askeaton Castle; forming two sides of a courtyard which is enclosed on the tierh two sides by battlemented walls wiht corner towers and a narrow gateway. The walls of the castle are as much as six feet thick, with a batter; the details, which are beautifully wrought, are copied exactly from Irish originals; if not of C13 and C14, as Godwin believed, at any rate of C15 and C16; there are Irish battlements, bold chimneys, bartizans and machicoulis on stout corbelling, trefoil windows and angle loops. All the main rooms were made to face into the courtyard, and on the ground floor there is hardly a single outside windows, though this was not just archaeological but, as the Building News explained at the time, “so that in the event of hte country being disturbed, the inmates of Dromore Castle might not only feel secure themselves but be able to give real shelter to others,” this being the year of the Fenian rising, wen at least one other Irish country house, Humewood, County Wicklow – also by an English architect – was designed with a view to defence. A vaulted gateway, over which was a chapel, led into the courtyard; one one side it was the entrance to the banqueting hall, which had a high timber barrel roof and alarge stone fireplace wiht a sloping hood carried on corbels’ on the other was the entrance to the main block, from which a straight flight of stone stairs under a very unusaul stepped barrel vault led up to first floor corridor, off which opened the dining room and two drawing rooms. The larger drawing room, in the keep, had pointed arches in teh thickness of its walls, some of which were supported by marble columns. All three rooms had timbered ceilings with painted decoration in which celtic motifs were mixed with Japanese; Godwin being one of the chief protagonists of the Japanese taste. As if cut through the solid stone, the staircase continued up to the bedroom floor, where the corridor was particularly attractive, with a long row of deep window recesses and a timber barrel roof. The walls of the main room where to have been painted by the historical painter, Henry Stacy Marks, who actually started work, but the scheme had to be dropped owing to the damp – something which also caused Godwin trouble at his other Irish country house, Glenbeigh Towers, Co Kerry.  Dromore was sold by the Limerick family between the two world wars to the McMahon family, who occupied it until ca 1950. An attempt was then made to find a buyer for it; and when this proved unsuccessful, the castle was dismantled. The ruins remain, as solid as any of the old ruined castles of the Irish countryside, but larger and more spectacular than most of them.” [1]

Dromore Castle, Kenmare, County Kerry 

“An early C19 castle by Sir Thomas Deane, built ca 1831-38 for Rev Denis Mahony; replacing a long low two storey house on a different site built on one side of a courtyard with the stables on the other, which still survives; and which itself replaced an old castle of the O’Mahonys, on a different site again. The present castle is of two storeys over basement and is faced in a golden-brown Roman cement imitating ashlar, with grey limestone dressings. The entrance front, which is dominated by a machicolated round tower and turret, at one side of a central heavily machicolated porch-tower, has a certain grimness; the windows are few and narrow. The garden front, facing down wooded slopes of sub-tropical luxuriance to the Kenmare River, is more graceful and friendly; there are fewer machicolations and the windows are wider; in the centre is a Perpendicular window of great height. At either end of the garden front is a three-sided bow, with corner-bartizans. Apart from the staircase window, the windows are rectangular, and combine wooden Gothic tracery with Georgian glazing; some of them incorporating rather unusual half Gothic fanlights. Inside the castle, a vast hall, like a long gallery, runs almost the full length of the front; it has a timbered ceiling and oak-grained doors with panels of Gothic tracery. In the centre, opposite the front door, an arch opens onto an imperial staircase of oak with Gothic balusters, lit by the great Perpendicular window...” [1]

Drumadarragh House, Kilbride, County Antrim 

“A two storey three bay C18 house with a fanlighted doorway, to which two wings were added, probably 1827; they are of two bays each, similar in style and proportion to the centre; but each has a pediment gable with an oeil-de-boeuf window. The rear of the house is similar, except for a wing in the same style as the rest of the house, added 1903.” [1]

Drumalis, Larne, County Antrim

“A rambling two storey late-Victorian or Edwardian mansion, dominated by a four storey central tower and turret. Eaved roof; camber-headed windows; pillared porch; solid parapet on tower and turret.” [1]

Drumbanagher, Poyntpass, County Armagh – demolished

“A very large Italianate house by William Playfair of Edinburgh, built ca 1837 for Maxwell Close, brother-in-law of 1^stLord Lurgan who built Brownlow House, also to the design of Playfair. Two storey centre block with higher three storey wings set at right angles to it, and projecting beyond it both in the entrance and garden fronts; the space between the wings in the entrance front being filled by vast arched porte-cochere. Roofs of wings eaved and carried on bracket cornices; roof of centre block with balustraded parapet. Plain pilasters framing downstairs windows in ends of wings. Now demolished.” [1]

Drumbaragh House, Kells, Co Meath 

“A tall three storey three bay C18 block. Central chimneystack; C19 pillared porch and window surrounds.” [1]

Drumboe Castle, Stranorlar, Co Donegal – a ruin 

“A Georgian house consisting of three storey centre with a three sided central bow and pillared porch, and bow-ended wings. A Wyatt window on either side of the centre bow.” [1]

Drumcairn, Stewartstown, County Tyrone

Drumcar, Dunleer, Co Louth – hospital 

“A square block of ca 1778, three storeys over a basement with a five bay front, embellished C19 and extended by the addition of two large single-storey Italianate wings prolonging two adjoining fronts, one of them ending in a handsome archway. Doorcase with four engaged Ionic columns and pediment over middle two; mid to late C19 Doric portico; segmental pediments over ground floor windows. Doorcase with Tuscan pilasters in hall. Ballroom in one of the wings. Now owned by St. John of God Brothers.” [1]

Drumcarban, Crossdoney, Co Cavan

“A late C18 house of three storeys and three bays; doorcase with very delicate fanlight; flues grouped in one long stack.” [1]

Drumcashel, Castlebellingham, Co Louth – ruin

“A C19 Tudor-Revival house with hood mouldings.” [1]

Drumcondra House, Drumcondra, Dublin – All Hallow’s College 

“A very important three storey C18 house, with two adjoining fronts. The grander of these two, which has a boldly projecting central feature of giant Corinthian pillars supporting a balustraded Corinthian entablature and is richly adorned with niches, aedicules and triangular and segmental pediments over the windows and two doorways, of unknown authorship; the simpler, which is plain but for a two storey pedimented frontispiece with a pilastered Venetian window in its upper storey, by Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, his earlier recorded private house work, which he carried out 1727 for Marmaduke Coghill, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Judge of the Prerogative Court. The interior, which has C18 panelling and good contemporary chimneypieces, has been altered at various times, but some of it is by Pearce. On the lawn is a temple with a pediment and Cornithian pilasters, probably by Alessandro Galilei, the Italian architect who designed the main block of Castletown, Co Kildare.  Now All Hallow’s College.” [1]

Drumconora (formerly Nutfield), Ennis, Co Clare 

“A handsome stone-faced mid-C18 house of three storeys over basement, attributed to Francis Bindon. Pedimented breakfront with triple window over round-headed tripartite doorway; 2 bays on either side. Quoins; string courses; window surrounds with keystones. Seat of the Crowes (see Dromore), afterwards of the O’Loghlens, the family of the eminent lawyer Sir Michael O’Loghlen who 1836 became the first Catholic to sit on the Judicial Bench in Ireland or Britain since the Revolution of 1688. Drumconora was sold by the O’Loghlens 1930s and subsequently demolished.” [1]

Drumcree House, Collinstown, Co Westmeath

Drumhierney, Co Leitrim 

“A two storey six bay house with a two bay pedimented breakfront and conservatory with fluted Ionic pilasters. Now derelict.” [1]

Drumlargan, Co Meath 

“A two storey double gable-ended house, probably early C18 but with C19 windows and a C19 two storey gabled projecting porch. Owned by the Bomford family until ca 1850.” [1]

Drummilly, Loughgall, County Armagh 

“A plain, vaguely Georgian house with remarkable two storey elliptical structure of glass and art nouveau ironwork projecting from its centre and constituting the entrance. Elliptical windows in the upper storey of this addition.” [1]

Drumnasole House, Garronpoint, County Antrim 

p. 113. “(Turnly/IFR) An early 19C house, in what was described (1845) as “a most romantic and sheltered site at the base of the perpendicular hills.” Begun sometime ante 1819 and not completed until ca 1840, built for Francis Turnly, who had been in the East India Company and spent much of his early life in China. Of basalt from the hill behind; two storey over basement, entrance front has breakfront centre with window flanked by two narrower windows above and fanlighted doorway under shallow porch of four engaged Doric columns below; one bay on either side. Side of house is five bay. Long hall with plasterwork ceiling; stairwell lit by dome.” [1]

Drumreaske House, Monaghan, co Monaghan

“A two storey C19 Tudor-revival house of the “cottage” type, with gables and decorated bargeboards.” [1]

Drumsill, County Armagh 

“Owned by the MacGeough family from the C17. A house of ca 1788, remodelled by Francis Johnston, ca 1860. Sold 1916. An hotel 1957-72, when it was blown up.” [1]

Duarrigle Castle, Millstreet, Co Cork – ‘lost’ 

“A castellated house of early C19 appearance, consisting of 3 storey block and a two storey block with a round turret at their junction. Simple battlements; regularly disposed mullioned windows with ogival-headed lights; entrance doorway wiht ogival fanlight at the head of a flight of steps with wrought-iron railings. Hood mouldings. The seat of the Justice family, more recently of the O’Connors, maternal forebears of Mr Norman St John-Stevas, (whose mother, Mrs Stephen S Stevas, was formerly Miss Kitty St John O’Connor, of Duarrigle Castle). Now a ruin.” [1]

Duckett’s Grove, Carlow – a ruin 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/07/18/ducketts-grove-county-carlow-an-impressive-ruin-and-a-walled-garden/

Duckspool, Dungarvan, Co Waterford 

Duleek House, Duleek, Co Meath

“A three storey pedimented cut-stone house of ca 1750, attributed to Richard Castle or his school, built for Thomas Trotter, MP. Three bay front; central breakfront with triple window above Venetian window above pedimented tripartite doorway. Balustraded roof parapet.” [1]

Dunany House, Togher, Co Louth 

“A “U” shaped house with a courtyard, partly early C18, but much altered late C18 and made to look Gothic in early C19. Bolection chimneypiece in hall.” [1]

Dunboden Park, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

“A house of early to mid C19 appearance…” [1]

Dunboy Castle and Puxley Manor, Castletownberehaven, Co Cork  

Under Dunboy Castle in Mark Bence-Jones:

“A castellated house of 1838 and earlier to which H.L. Puxley, owner of the Berehaven Copper Mines, added a vast new building of razor sharp ashlar 1880s; a sold, vigorous, three dimensional composition in with Ruskinian Gothic arches and windows were combined wiht the “Old English” oriels. Whilte the overall effect was High Victorian, it was not wholly uninfluenced by subsequent trends in English domestic architecture, having certain similarities to Norman Shaw’s Cragside, Northumberland. There were no battlements, but a skyline of steep and pointed roofs and tall chimneys. A high-roofed tower rose from the middle of the entrance front, and another from a corner of the front facing the water, which had an arcaded basement beneath it; at one side of the latter tower was a tremendous buttress, combined with a chimneystack. The chief feature of the interior was the series of transverse diaphragm arches spanning the hall. Burnt 1921, now a spectacular ruin.” [1]

Dunboyne Castle, Dunboyne, County Meath – accommodation 

https://www.dunboynecastlehotel.com/

“This C18 house which replaced the old castle here as the seat of the Dunboynes. From its appearance, dating from two different periods, the front being later; probably inspired by Sir William Chambers’s Charlemont House in Dublin and added either by Pierce Butler, 10^th Lord Dunboyne, who succeeded 1768, or by his son, 11^th Baron, who died 1785. Of three storeys and seven bays, the ground floor being rusticated and treated as a basement and the first floor as a piano nobile with pediments over the windows. Tripartite pedimented and fanlighted entrance doorway; urns on parapet. Single-storey four bay rusticated wing. Good interior rococo plasterwork...” [1]

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-meath-leinster/

Dunbrody Park, Arthurstown, County Wexford – accommodation

WWW.DUNBRODYHOUSE.COM 

“A pleasant, comfortable unassuming house of ca 1860 which from its appearance might be a C20 house of vaguely Queen Anne flavour. Two storey, five bay centre, with middle bay breaking forward and three-sided single-storey central bow; two bay projecting ends. Moderately high roof on bracket cornice; windows with cambered heads and astragals. Wyatt windows in side elevation.” [1]

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Dundalk House, Dundalk, Co Louth 

“A Georgian Gothic house of two storeys, with pointed windows and a three sided bow, originally seat of the Earls of Roden, who inherited the estate from the Earls of Clanbrassill of 2^nd creation; acquired C19 by the Carrolls, owners of the tobacco firm of P.J. Carroll & Co, whose factory was nearby. Demolished ca 1900 owing to its site being unhealthy, and replaced by red brick gabled house of the period, which was given to P.J. Carroll and Co for use as offices 1936.” [1]

Dundanion, Blackrock, Co Cork  

“A two storey home of the Cork architect Sir Thomas Deane, who supervised its building, though it was designed by the Morrisons. Single storey Ionic portico; eaved roof.” [1]

Dundarave House, Bushmills, County Antrim 

“A very fine Italianate palazzo by Charles Lanyon; built 1847 for Sir Edmond Workman-MacNaghten, 2^nd Bt, to replace a castellated house which his father, Sir Francis MacNaghten, had built only ten years earlier...” [1]

Dundermot, Ballintober, Co Roscommon 

“A three storey C18 double gable-ended house of three bays with two storey two bay wings almost as high as the centre. Regency ironwork porch’ ironwork balconies in front of ground floor windows of wings. Tall and massive chimneystacks on gable ends of centre block.” [1]

Dundrum House, County Tipperary – was previously a hotel

https://www.dundrumhousehotel.com

“A C18 Palladian mansion consisting of a centre block of two storeys over a high basement joined by short links to flanking wings or pavilions, very much in the style of Sir Edward Lovett Pearce: the seat of the Maude family, Viscounts Hawarden. Entrance front of seven bays, with a three-bay pedimented breakfront, links and wings of one bay each. Central, round-headed window with keystone above pedimented doorcase; similar windows on either side of door and in wings. Graceful perron in front of door with partly curving double stairs and iron railings. Oculi and camber-headed windows in basement; prominent quoins  on centre block and wings. Large hall with compartmented ceiling. Impressive, double-pedimented stable block at right-angles to the entrance front. 

“An extra storey, treated as an attic above the continuous cornice, was added to the centre block about 1890 by the 4th Viscount Hawarden, who was 1st and last Earl de Montalt.  This did away with the pediment and spoilt the proportions of the house; making the centre block massive and ungainly, so that it dwarfs the wings. After being sold by the Maudes, the house ws for many years a convent; but it is now in private occupation once more.” [1]

Dundullerick, Lisgoold, Co Cork  

“A Georgian house consisting of a two storey three bay centre with single storey two bay wings.” [1]

Duneske, Cahir, Co Tipperary

“A three storey asymmetrical Victorian house with a high roof and some gables; built ca 1870 for R.W. Smith to the design of Sir Thomas Drew. Plate glass windows, bows in various places. Porch with sinuous, rather art-nouveau style decoration in stucco…” [1]

Dungar, Coolderry, Co Offaly 

“A two storey C19 house with a front and side elevation of three bays, the centre bay of the front being recessed, and that of the side breaking forwards. Porch and arches and rusticated piers; single-storey curved bow in centre of side elevation; prominent quoins; entabaltures over ground floor windows; eaved roof on bracket cornice.” [1]

Dungiven Castle, Dungiven, County Derry 

“A C19 castle with a long two storey battlemented front, having a central polygon tower with a pointed Gothic doorway and a pointed window over, and a round tower at each end. Five bays on either side of centre.” [1]

Dunguaire Castle (or Dungory), near Kinvara, County Clare

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2025/07/05/dunguaire-castle-kinvara-county-clare-open-to-the-public/

Duninga, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny 

“A house with a three storey centre and two storey projecting wings, joined by a Doric colonnade.” [1]

Dunkathel House (or Dunkettle), Glanmire, Cork

“A house in the Palladian manner, consisting of a two storey nine bay centre block joined by screen walls with rusticated niches to office wings extending back; the front ends of the wings being treated as two storey two bay pavilions with oculi in their upper storey. The front of the centre block has quoins at its sides and framing a three bay breakfront; a solid roof parapet and fanlighted doorcase with an entablature and engaged Tuscan columns.…” [1]

Dunleckney Manor, Bagnelstown, Co Carlow

p. 116. “(Newton, sub Bagenal/IFR; Vesey sub de Vesci, V/PB) A C19 Tudor-Gothic house by Daniel Robertson, of Kilkenny. Built ca 1850 for Walter Newton, who inherited the estate from his mother, the heiress of the Bagenal family of Dunleckney. Faced in smooth limestone ashlar; steep gables and overhanding oriels; a slender polygonal corner turret decorated with panels of miniature tracery in the manner of English Perpendicular architecture; similar ornament on the bow of the garden front. Interior has plaster fan vaulting. Elaborately carved staircase of wood...” [1]

Dunluce Castle, County Antrim – heritage visitor site

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/07/04/dunluce-castle-ruin-county-antrim-northern-ireland/

The Manor House, Dunmanway, Co Cork  

p. 116. “Cox, sub Villiers-Stuart/LGI1912; Lucas/IFR) A two storey three bay house of 1819, with Wyatt windows and an enclosed porch.” [1]

Dunmore, Carrigans, Co Donegal  – accommodation 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/27/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-donegal-ulster/

Dunmore House, Dunmore, County Galway

p. 116. (Shee, Bt/PB1869; Dering, Bt/PB) “A late C18 house of three storeys over a basement, incorporating an earlier house. Three bay bow-ended entrance front, with one bay central breakfront. Wide fanlighted doorway.” [1]

Dunmore House (also known as Dunmore Palace), Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny, now Dunmore Cottage 

p. 116. “(Butler, Ormonde, MPB) A C17 red brick house on a palatial scale built post Restoration by Duchess of Ormonde, wife of the great Duke. Its chief interior feature was a staircase of carved wood, “so large the twenty men might walk abreast.” The Duchess also laid out elaborate gardens here. When the Duke was showing some people his improvements at Kilkenny Castle, one of them said: “Your Grace has done much here,” to which he replied “Yes, and there the Duchess has Dunmore; and if she does any more, I shall be undone.” The house was neglected and eventually demolished during C18.” [1]

Dunmore, Durrow, County Laois

“An early Georgian house of brick, plastered over, consisting of a three storey five bay gable-ended centre block with two storey projecting wings...” [1]

Dunnstown, Co Kildare 

p. 116. “A two storey pedimented C18 house flanked by two free-standing wings with small pediments. The pediment of the main block was made into a barge-boarded gable C19.” [1]

Dunore House, Aldergrove, County Antrim

p. 117. “The only full-blown country house example in Ireland of the Eyptian taste; and a rather late example, having been built post 1857. Of smooth rusticated granite’ the doorcase being composed of four tems with Pharoahs’ heads, originally surrounded by hieroglyphics; the pediment being topped with an obelisk.” [1]

Dunsandle Castle, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

p. 116. (Daly/IFR) A large plain mid to late C18 Palladian house, until recently the finest house in Co Galway, very tentatively attributed by the Knight of Glin to David Duckart. Built for Rt Hon Denis Daly MP… Sold ca 1954 by Major Bowes Daly; subsequently demolished.”

Dunsany Castle, Dunsany, Co Meath section 482 in 2019  

“A castle  founded ca 1200 by Hugh de Lacy; and which, in 1403, passed by marriage, along with the neighbouring castle of Killeen, to Sir Christopher Plunkett; who left Killeen to his eldest son, ancester of the Earls of Fingall, and Dunsany to his second son, 1^st Baron of Dunsany. The castle eventually consisted of two tall blocks, each with a pair of square corner-towers, joined by a hall range so as to enclose a shallow three sided court. The 13th Lord Dunsany restored and modernised the old castle in the 1780s, filling in the old court between the projecting tower blocks to form a spacious staircase hall, putting in pointed Georgian-Gothic windows and decorating the principle rooms in the fashionable style of the period. 14th Lord Dunsany carried out various additions and alterations to the castle around 1840, which can be safely attributed to James Shiel, who was working at the nearby Killeen Castle at that time. Shiel replaced the Georgian-Gothic windows on the entrance front and at the end of the castle with tracery and mullioned windows; but he was much more sparing with his medievalism here than he was at Killeen; so that the old grey castle with its square towers keeps all the character and atmosphere of a house that has grown through the ages, rather than looking merely like a castle of the 19th century…” [1]

Dunsland, Glanmire, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

p. 117. “(Pike;LGI1958) A late-Victorian house with an eaved roof, half-timbered gables and pediments and entablatures over the ground floor windows. Home of Joseph Pike, burnt 1920.” [1]

Dunsoghly Castle, Finglas, Co Dublin

p. 117. “(Dunne/LGI1912) A C15 castle built by Thomas Plunkett, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench; consisting of a tall four storey tower with tapering corner-turrets rising above the parapet of the centre block. At one side of the tower is a detached chapel, built 1573 by Sir John Plunkett, Chief Justice of the Queen’s Bench, and his third wife, Genet Sarsfield. The lowest storey of the tower is vaulted, those above it had timber floors. The castle still keeps its original roof, with massive oak timbers...” [1]

Durrow Abbey, Tullamore, Offaly

p. 117. “(Graham-Toler, Norbury, E/PB; Slazenger, sub Powerscourt, V/PB) Originally a plain three storey 7 bay C18 house with a pillared porch; replaced ca 1837 by a Tudor-Gothic house built for 2^nd Earl of Norbury, who was murdered here 1839. The house now consists of two two storey ranges at right angles to each other, one of them standing on slightly lower ground, with a small battlemented tower at their junction. The higher range has a central projecting porch-gable, with a corbelled oriel over the entrance door, and a slightly stepped gable at each end. There are tall Tudor-style chimneys and a few pinnacles. The house was rebuilt in the same style 1924. Nearby is the site of an ancient abbey, with a fine C10 High Cross...” [1]

Dysart, Delvin, Co Westmeath

[1] 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.

As you can see as I work my way though the contents of Mark Bence-Jones’s A Guide to Irish Country Houses [1], there are thousands of “big houses” in Ireland – though many are “houses of middle size.” It’s not clear why some houses are included in Bence-Jones’s book and others are not. If it were up to me, I’d compile a more defined list – I’d like to compile a list of houses built before 1700, for example, to have a more clear cut-off, and another list of houses built before 1800. I would also like to group houses by architect, and I will do that eventually, I hope! But Bence-Jones gives us a good idea as to what exists – albeit he includes some important houses that no longer exist.

Note that the majority of these are private houses, not open to the public. I discovered “my bible” of big houses by Mark Bence-Jones only after I began this project of visiting historic houses that have days that they are open to the public (Section 482 properties).

This is a project I have been working on for a while, collecting pictures of houses. Enjoy! Feel free to contact me to send me better photographs if you have them! I’ll be adding letters as I go…

[1] 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.

Cabinteely House (formerly Clare Hill), Cabinteely, Dublin – sometimes open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/06/06/covid-19-lockdown-20km-limits-and-places-to-visit-in-dublin/

Cabra Castle, County Cavan, on section 482 in 2019-2025 – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2021/03/28/cabra-castle-kingscourt-county-cavan/

Cabra (or Cabragh) House, Co Dublin – demolished 1948

Cahercon (see Cahircon), County Limerick

Caherelly Grange, Herbertstown, Co Limerick 

An old castle, not lived in since mid-C19.

Cahir Castle, Cahir, Tipperary – OPW

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/03/29/cahir-castle-county-tipperary-an-office-of-public-works-property/

Cahircalla, Ennis, Co Clare – nursing home

Cahircon House (or Cahercon or Cahiracon), Killadysert, Co. Clare

The National Inventory tells us that Cahercon is a “five-bay three-storey over basement late-Georgian house, built c. 1790, with limestone cut-stone projecting Ionic porch to centre. Three-bay two-storey over basement flanking wings with full-height canted bay windows, lean-to conservatory to left hand side and two-bay single-storey bay to right hand side, added 1873. Five-bay single-storey return, added c. 1990, to accommodate use as convent and school.”

Cahirduggan, Midleton, Co Cork

A two storey house of late-Georgian appearance.  

Cahir-Guillamore, Kilmallock, Co Limerick 

Cahirmoyle, Ardagh, Co Limerick 

Cahirnane House (or Cahernane), Co Kerry – accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kerry-munster/

Cahore House, Cahore, Co Wexford 

Cairndhu, Larne, County Antrim

A two storey, many-gabled Victorian house, given a Chinese flavour by the design of the ornate open-work bargeboards, and of the elaborate wooden verandah and balcony running along most of the front. 

Caledon, County Tyrone

Callinafercy House, Milltown, Co Kerry 

A Victorian Tudor house of 1861, built for Robert Leeson, grandson of 1^st Earl of Milltown. 

Camass House, Bruff, Co Limerick  

Camla Vale, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

Camlin Estate, Co Donegal  – demolished  

Camolin Park, Camolin, Co Wexford

A square block of superior quality, dating from first half of C18. Good doorcase with segmental pediment. The seat of the Annesleys, Earls of Mountnorris and Viscounts Valentia, sold by them 1858. A ruin for many years, demolished ca 1974.

Camphire, Cappoquin, Co Waterford 

Cangort, Shinrone, Co Offaly

Cangort Park, Shinrone, Co. Offaly 

Capard, Rosenalis, Co Laois

Cappagh House, Cappagh, Co Waterford (Old and New, section 482) 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/12/09/cappagh-house-old-and-new-dungarvan-co-waterford/

Cappamurra, Dundrum, Co Tipperary  

A two storey house with round-headed windows in its upper storey and windows of unusual shape below. 

Cappoquin House, Waterford – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2021/01/24/cappoquin-house-gardens-cappoquin-co-waterford/

Carbury Castle, Co Kildare (or Castle Carbury or Carbery)  – ruin 

Careysville, (Ballymacpatrick Castle), Clondulane, Fermoy, County Cork

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Cargins Park, Roscommon, Co Roscommon

A two storey three bay Victorian house with a porch.

Carker House, Doneraile, Co Cork  

A two storey C18 house, 6 bay front; two bay breakfront, with small pediment-gable; tripartite round-headed doorcase.

Carnagh House, New Ross, Co Wexford 

Carnalea House, County Down 

Carnalway Glebe, Kilcullen,  Co. Kildare 

Carnelly, Ennis, Co. Clare

A 3 storey mid-C18 house of pink brick, built for George Stamer almost certainly to the design of his brother-in-law Francis Bindon.

Carnew Castle, Carnew, Co Wicklow 

Carramore, Ballina, County Mayo

Carrick Barron, or Carrickbarrahane, Stradbally, Co. Waterford  

Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, The Castle (see Ormonde Castle), Carrick Castle 

Carrickblacker, Portadown, County Armagh – demolished 

Carrickmore House (formerly Carrickmore Hall), County Tyrone

Carrig Park, Mallow, Co Cork

  A two storey bow ended Georgian house. 

Carrigacunna Castle, Killavullen, Co Cork  

A two storey early nineteenth century house alongside an old tower-house above the River Blackwater.

Carrigaholt Tower and the Cottage, Shannon, County Clare

Bence-Jones writes of the cottage: “A C19 house of random ashlar consisting of a 2 storey centre with pointed windows, flanked by single-storey gabled wings; overlooking the mouth of the Shannon, close to the ruins of an old castle of the MacMahons which was captured by the O’Briens of Thomond and afterwards passed to the Burton family. Now rebuilt, but the old C18 pink brick garden walls still survive.“

 Carriglas Manor, Longford

Carriglea, Dungarvan, Co Waterford 

Carrigmore, Ballineen, Co Cork 

A two storey house in the late Georgian manner, built 1842 by James Lysaght on the site of an earlier house, known as Connerville, which had formerly belonged to the Conner family and which he purchased from them. 

Carrigmore, Montenotte, Cork, Co Cork  

A very handsome C19 Classical house…Now ruinous.

Carrignavar, Co Cork

A late C19 castellated house incorporating some fragments of an old castle.  

Carrigoran, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare – demolished in the 1980s 

Carrigrenane, Little Island, Co Cork  

A pleasant square late-Georgian house of two storeys over a basement on a promontory jutting out into Lough Mahon.

Carrigrohane Castle, Carrigrohane, County Cork

Detached four-bay three-storey over basement and with dormer attic house, built c.1850, incorporating fabric of an earlier building.   

Carrowdore Castle, Donaghadee, County Down 

A Georgian Gothic castle built 1818 by Nicholas de la Cherois-Crommelin. 

Carrowgar (see Moy House)

Carrowgarry, Beltra, Co Sligo – coffee roasters 

A Victorian house built ca 1880 by A.J. Crichton.

Carrowmore (also known as Fairfield House), Aughrim, Co Galway 

A plain three storey 5 bay Georgian house.

Carrowmore House, Carrowmorelacken, Co Mayo

Carrowroe Park, Roscommon, Co Roscommon 

An early C19 Classical house of two storeys and three bays, pedimented breakfront with Wyatt window over Doric portico. The front prolonged by single-storey wings with pairs of pedimented pavilions, those on one side being wider apart; blind wall with pilasters on one side, windows on the other. Garden front with two arched loggias joined by colonnade.

Carstown, Drogheda, Co Louth

Carton House, Kildare – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/06/04/carton-house-county-kildare-a-hotel/

Cashel Palace, Cashel, Co Tipperary – hotel

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-tipperary-munster/

Cashel House, Cashel, Connemara, County Galway

Casino at Marino, County Dublin – Office of Public Works

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/09/office-of-public-works-dublin-the-casino-at-marino/

Castle Archdale, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh – house a ruin but War museum in stables

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Castle Bellingham, County Louth – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-louth-leinster/

Castle Bernard (formerly Castle Mahon), Bandon, Co Cork – ruin  

Castle Bernard (see Kinnity Castle), Kinnity, Co Offaly – hotel 

Castle Blunden, County Kilkenny – whole house rental

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kilkenny-leinster/

Castle Browne (Clongowes Wood College), Clane, Co Kildare

Castle Caldwell, Belleek, County Fermanagh

“A C18 house of two storeys over a basement, on the shores of Lough Erne, with a delightful Georgian “pasteboard Gothic” façade… The house was ruinous by the end of C19.” 

Castle Carbery (see Carbury Castle), Carbury, County Kildare 

Castle Cooke, Kilworth, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

The old castle of Dungallane was acquired by Thomas Cooke, a Cork Quaker merchant, in second half of C17, and subsequently named Castle Cooke.

Castle Coole (see Castlecoole), County Fermanagh

Castle Cor, Kanturk, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

Castle Crine, near Sixmilebridge, Co Clare –

A castellated late-Georgian house, demolished in 1955. 

Castle Daly, Loughrea, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

Castle Dillon, Armagh, County Armagh

A large and austere mansion of 1845 by William Murray; built for Sir George Molyneux, 6^th Bt, to replace a rather low and plain mid-C18 winged house, which had itself replaced the second of two earlier houses again.  

Castle Dobbs, Carrickfergus, County Antrim

An early C18 house in the manner of Sir Edward Lovett Pearce, built 1730 by Arthur Dobbs, Surveyor-General of Ireland, Governor of North Carolina, agriculturalist and organizer of expeditions to discover the NW passage from Hudson’s Bay to the Pacific.  

Castle Dodard, Lismore, County Waterford 

Castle Durrow, Co Laois – a hotel, gardens open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/27/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-laois-leinster/

Castle Ellen, Athenry, County Galway – on 482 in 2019-2025 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Castle Ffogarty, Thurles, Co Tipperary

A rather insubstantial C19 castle; burnt 1922 and now a ruin except for one tower which has been rebuilt. 

Castle Ffrench, Ahascragh, Co Galway 

An elegant ashlar-faced house of three storeys over a basement, built in 1779 for Sir Charles ffrench, Mayor of Galway; replacing a late C17 house on a different site which itself replaced a castle built by the ffrench family soon after they bought the estate in late C16. 

Castle Forbes, County Longford 

Castle Forward, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal – ruin  

Castle Freke, Rosscarbery, Co Cork  

Castle Gore (or Old Castle, Deel Castle), Ballina, Co Mayo

Castle Grace, Clogheen, Co Tipperary  

Castle Grove, County Donegal – accommodation  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/27/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-donegal-ulster/

Castle Hacket (or Castlehacket), Belclare, Co Galway 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Castle Harrison, Charleville, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

C18 house…sold 1956 and subsequently demolished

Castle Hewson, Askeaton, Co Limerick 

Castle Howard, Avoca, Co Wicklow – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/11/13/castle-howard-avoca-county-wicklow/

Castle Hume (see Ely Lodge), County Fermanagh 

Castle Hyde, Fermoy, County Cork

Castle Ievers, Croom, Co Limerick 

Castle Irvine (or Necarne Castle), Irvinestown, County Fermanagh 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Castle Kelly, see Aughrane Castle, County Galway 

Castle Kevin, Mallow, Co Cork  

Castle Kevin, Annamoe, County Wicklow 

Castle Lackin, near Ballycastle, Co Mayo

A plain two storey late Georgian house, with a wide curved bow at one end of its garden front; simple entablatures over ground floor windows. A vast complex of outbuildings at rear of the house, partly surrounded by a high battlemented wall with castellated gate piers. “Eyecatcher” folly on hill opposite. Now the house and outbuildings are in ruins and some of the wall has collapsed.

Castle Leslie, County Monaghan – section 482 in 2019, hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/08/07/castle-leslie-glaslough-county-monaghan/

Castle Lough, Co Tipperary 

A two storey five bay Georgian house with a high roof.

Castle Lyons, Fermoy, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

A C16 fortified mansion, built on the foundations of the castle of the O’Lenans, from whom the place too its name; principal seat of the Earls of Barrymore. …The house was burnt 1771, through the carelessness of a workman, and never rebuilt. 

Castle MacGarrett, Claremorris, County Mayo

Castle Mahon (see Castle Bernard) – ruin  

Castle Martin, Co Kildare 

Castle Martyr (or Castlemartyr), Co Cork – hotel  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Castle Mary, Cloyne, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

Castle Matrix, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick (also called Castle Mattress)

Castle Morres, Kilmaganny, Co Kilkenny

Castle Neynoe (Ballysumaghan House), Balintogher, Co Sligo

 “A small symmetrical Gothic-Revival castle with a central bow carried upwards as a three storey tower. Seat of the Neynoes. Now a ruin.” 

Castle Oliver (also known as Clonodfoy), Kilfinane, Co Limerick

Castle Otway, Templederry, Co Tipperary

Castle Park, Limerick, Co Limerick

Castle Pollard (formerly Kinturk), Co Westmeath  

Castle Ring, Dundalk, Co Louth 

A two storey five bay gable-ended C18 house with simple round-headed doorway.

Castle Saffron (see Creagh Castle), Co Cork  

Castle Saunderson, Co. Cavan – a ruin, can visit 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/07/03/county-cavan-historic-houses-to-see-and-stay/

Castle Shane, Co Monaghan

Castle Sheppard, Borrisokane, County Tipperary – ruinous

Castle Strange, Athleague, Co Roscommon- ruin 

Castle Talbot, Blackwater, County Wexford 

Castle Taylor, Ardrahan, Co Galway  – ruin 

Castle Townshend, Co Cork  – accommodation, hotel  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2025/04/25/the-castle-castletownshend-co-cork-accommodation/

Castle Upton, Templepatrick, County Antrim

Castle Ward, Strangford, County Down 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/06/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-down-northern-ireland/

Castle Widenham (or Blackwater Castle), Castletownroche, Co Cork

Castle Wilder (also known as Cloughdoo), Abbeyshrule, County Longford

Castle Willington, Nenagh, Co Tipperary 

Castle Wray, Letterkenny, Co Donegal – ruins  

Castlebar House, Castlebar, Co Mayo – burned

Castleblayney (see Blayney Castle), County Monaghan

Castleboro House, County Wexford – ruin

Castlecaulfeild, County Tyrone – ruin

Castlecomer House, Co Kilkenny

Castlecoole, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – open to the public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/03/21/castle-coole-county-fermanagh-a-national-trust-property/

Castlecor, Ballymahon, County Longford 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/03/16/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-longford-leinster/

Castlefield, Co Kilkenny 

A three storey bow-fronted Georgian house, the bow having a trefoil window and battlements. Pillared porch. 

Castlegar, Ahascragh, Co Galway 

The grandest of Sir Richard Morrison’s villas, built from 1803 onwards for Ross Mahon, afterwards 1^st Bt; replacing an earlier house. 

Castlegarde, Cappamore, Limerick   

Castlegrove, Tuam, County Galway

Castlehacket (see Castle Hacket), Belclare, Co Galway 

Castlehaven House, Castletownsend, Co Cork

Castlemaine Lodge, Hare Island, Athlone, Co Westmeath (or Hare Island)

Castlemore, Tullow, Co. Carlow – ruins

Castlerea, Killala, Co Mayo – demolished 1937

Castlerea House, Co Roscommon – demolished

Castlerichard, (see Glencairn Abbey) Co Waterford 

Castlesize, Sallins, Co Kildare 

A two storey late C18 house of seven bays, the two outer bays on either side projecting slightly. 

Castletown Castle, Dundalk, Co Louth 

Castletown Castle/ House, Co Carlow

Castletown House, County Kildare  – open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/03/15/castletown-house-and-parklands-celbridge-county-kildare-an-office-of-public-works-property/

Castletown Castle, Dundalk, County Louth

Castletown Conyers, Ballyagran, Co Limerick 

Castletown ‘Cox’ Kilkenny 

Castletown Manor, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh – demolished 

Castletown Manor, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick – demolished

Castleview, Conna, Co Cork (see Glynnatore)  

Castlewellan, County Down 

Cavangarden, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal – B&B  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/27/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-donegal-ulster/

Cecil Manor, Augher, County Tyrone

Celbridge Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare 

Celbridge Lodge, Co Kildare 

Chaffpool, Ballymote, Co Sligo – derelict 

Chanter Hill, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh 

A two storey house built 1780 as a Glebe for Rev Thomas Smyth DD. Front of one bay between two three sided bows.

Charlemont Fort, County Armagh (see Roxborough Castle, County Tyrone) 

Charlesfort, Kells, Co Meath 

A two storey house of ca 1800, with a lower wing. 

Charlesfort, Co Wexford 

Charlestown House, Clara, Offaly 

Charlestown, Clogher, Co Roscommon 

The house is no longer extant but extensive estate architecture survives.

Charleville, Co Cork – gone  

A fine house built 1661 to his own design by the 1^st Earl of Orrery, who at the same time developed the nearby town which is named Charleville after Charles II. The house stood on one side of a fortified enclosure, it had extensive gardens and a park. It was burnt 1690 during the Williamite war by the troops of Berwick and not rebuilt

Charleville, Castlebar, Co Mayo 

A square C18 house, now in ruins.

Charleville, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/09/18/charleville-county-wicklow/

Charleville Forest Castle, Tullamore, County Offaly 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/08/29/charleville-forest-castle-tullamore-county-offaly-sometimes-open-to-public-run-by-charleville-castle-heritage-trust/

Charleville Park (also known as Sanders Park), Charleville, Co Cork –

A three storey six bay late C18 house, built by Christopher Sanders, now divided into flats.  

Chief Secretary’s Lodge, Dublin (see United States Ambassador’s Residence) 

Church Hill, Maghera, County Down

An early to mid-C18 two storey gable-ended house of five bays; extended towards the end of C18 to form a new drawing room, the addition begin of the same height as the original front; and also gable-ended; but single-storey, with a three sided bow in its front and end walls.  

Churchill House, Chapeltown, County Kerry 

Churchtown House, Churchtown, County Kerry – whole house accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kerry-munster/

Cill-Alaithe, Killala, Co Mayo 

Clandeboye, County Down

Clanwilliam House, County Antrim (see Danesfort) 

Clara House, Clara, County Offaly

Three-bay two-storey over basement house, built c.1800, with attic, conservatory to rear and projecting entrance porch added to front. 

Clare Hill (see Cabinteely House), Co Dublin 

Clare Park, Ballycastle, County Antrim 

Claremont, Claremorris, Co Mayo 

Clarisford, Killaloe (Bishops’ Palace), Co Clare

The Palace of the (C of I) Bishops of Killaloe, a late C18 block of three storeys over a basement in a demesne by the River Shannon outside the town.

Clashenure House, Ovens, Co Cork

Classiebawn Castle, County Sligo 

Cleggan Lodge, Ballymena, County Antrim

Originally a hunting lodge, owned at various times by the O’Neills and the O’Haras. 

Cleariestown Hall, Cleariestown, County Wexford 

Clearmont, Claremorris, County Mayo

Clermont, Co Wicklow– school then sold 2005 

Clifden Castle, Clifden, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

Clifden House, Corofin, Co Clare

A two storey seven bay early C18 house. Central niche over Doric doorcase of stone. Seat of the Burton family, which produced the C19 portrait painter and miniaturist Sir Frederick Burton. 

Cliff, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal – demolished in late 1940s  

The Cliffs, Baily, Co Dublin

A C19 house added to at various times in the present centry, and full of Edwardian charm.

Clifton, Montenotte, Cork, Co Cork – convalescent home  

Two storey five bay early C19 house, with a single storey two bay wing balanced by conservatory, behind which is a chapel, with a lantern.  

Clinshogh, Co Dublin (see Woodlands) 

Clobemon Hall, Ferns, County Wexford

Cloghans, Co Mayo 

Clogher House, Ballyglass, Co Mayo

Clogher Palace (subsequenty Clogher Park), Clogher, County Tyrone

Cloghroe House, Blarney, Co Cork

A Georgian house built on the site of an old castle.

Clogrenane (or Clogrennan), Carlow, Co Carlow – a ruin 

Clohamon House, near Ferns, Co Wexford 

Clonacody, Fethard, County Tipperary – accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-tipperary-munster/

Clonageera House, Durrow, Co Laois 

Clonalis House, Castlerea, Co Roscommon – accommodation and section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/10/16/clonalis-castlerea-county-roscommon/

Clonard, near Wexford, Co Wexford 

Clonattin House, Gorey, Co Wexford

Clonboy, O’Brien’s Bridge, County Clare – demolished

Clonbrock, Ahascragh, Co Galway  – ‘lost’ 

Cloncarneel (see Clown), Co Meath

Cloncorick Castle, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim

A two storey early to mid C-19 Tudor-Gothic house with buttresses and stepped gables. 

Cloncoskraine, Dungarvan, Co Waterford 

Clonearl, Daingean (formerly Philipstown), Offaly

Clonebraney, Crossakeel, Co Meath – only a ruinous wing remains. 

Clonfert Palace, Eyrecourt, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

Clonganny House, Wexford – accommodation 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Clongill Castle, Co Meath – ruin 

Clongowes Wood, Co Kildare (see Castle Browne) 

Clonhugh, Multyfarnham, County Westmeath 

Clonleigh, Ballindrait, Co Donegal – demolished

Clonlost House, Killucan, Co Westmeath

A tall Georgian block with a central pedimented attic. Now a ruin.

Clonmannon, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow – plans for retirement home 

Clonmeen, Banteer, Co Cork – whole house airbnb  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Clonmore House, Piltown, Co Kilkenny 

Clonodfoy, Co Limerick (see Castle Oliver) 

Clonshavoy, Co Limerick 

The Irish Tourist Association surveyor writes in 1944 that the house was interesting as it was the remains of a very old Elizabethan house. He says that more than half the house was pulled down as it was unsafe “and the present eastern wing is a reconstruction”. Photograph from the Irish Tourist Association Survey 1943-44. 

Clonshire House, Adare, Co Limerick 

Clonskeagh Castle, Co Dublin

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/04/25/clonskeagh-castle-dublin/

Clontarf Castle, Clontarf, Co Dublin  – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/26/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-dublin-city-and-county/

Clontead More, Coachford, Co Cork

Clontra, Shankill, Co Dublin

A delightful Ruskinian Gothic villa, almost certainly by Sir Thomas Newenham Deane, and possibly designed by his brilliant younger partner, Benjamin Woodward.

Clonyn Castle, County Westmeath 

Clonyquin (or Clooneyquin or Cloonyquin), Elphin, Co Roscommon – demolished

Cloonacauneen Castle, Co Galway  

An old tower-house with a two storey three bay castellated wing attached

Cloonamahon, Collooney, County Sligo 

Clooncahir, Mohill, Co Leitrim 

A plain two storey four bay house of ca 1820.

Clooney House, Clooney, Co Clare – ruin

Originally a two storey five bay C17 house of the Bindon family, which produced the C18 amateur architect and portrait painter Francis Bindon. The house burnt C19 and the property was sold by the impecunious Burton Bindon, who emigrated to Australia; his daughter and her husband Joseph Hall subsequently returned to Ireland and bought back Clooney. They rebuilt the burnt-out shell of the house in a rich Victorian Italianate style, … Unfortunately the Hall’s finances did not last out; he is said to have gambled and she was extravagant; so that by early C20 the house was once again ruinous. 

Cloughdoo (see Castle Wilder), County Longford

Cloverhill, Belturbet, Co Cavan 

Clown (now known as Cloncarneel), Trim, Co Meath 

Colebrook Park, County Fermanagh

An austere Classical house of 1825 by William Farrell; built for Sir Henry Brooke, 1^st Bt of 2^nd creation. 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Coleraine Manor House (formerly Jackson Hall), Coleraine, County Derry 

Colganstown, Newcastle, Co Dublin – 482

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/05/21/colganstown-house-hazelhatch-road-newcastle-county-dublin/

 Collierstown House, Collierstown, Co Meath 

A late C18 house, built ca 1775.

Collis Sandes House (see Oak Park) 

Collon House, Ardee Street, Collon, Louth (also Oriel Temple)  – accommodation and tours 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-louth-leinster/

Combermere, Glounthaune, Co Cork – Danish consulate

An early c19 “gentleman’s cottage” mostly of one storey, with a small castellated wing.   

Conlig (or Little Clandeboye) House, County Down 

Convamore, Ballyhooly, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

Conway, Dunmurry, County Antrim 

A two storey Victorian house with a symmetrical front of two shallow curved bows and a central projection; on either side of which runs a pillared and balustraded veranda, joining at one end to a single-storey wing, and at the other to a pilastered conservatory. Became hotel; suffered irreparable bomb damage 1970.

Cookstown House, Co Meath (see Corbalton Hall) 

Coolamber, Street, Co Westmeath

Coolamber Manor, Lisryan, County Longford 

Coolavin, Monasteraden, Co Sligo

Multiple-bay two- and three-storey stone house, built 1898, to designs by architect James Franklin Fuller.  

Coolbawn House, near Enniscorthy, Co Wexford – ruin 

Coolcarrigan House and Gardens, Naas, County Kildare – section 482 in 2019  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/05/31/coolcarrigan-house-and-gardens-coill-dubh-naas-county-kildare/

Coolderry House, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan – lost 

A two storey late C18 house of five bays between two semi-circular bows. …Sold 1920 by Col G.J. Brownlow, afterwards demolished.

Coole, Millstreet, Co Cork

A long and low two storey Georgian house with a plain seven bay front. 

Coole Abbey, Fermoy, Co Cork 

A house built ca 1765 by Henry Peard; attributed, on stylistic grounds, to Davis Duckart. 

Coole Park, County Galway  – ‘lost’ 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Cooleville, Clogheen, County Tipperary

Coolhull Castle, County Wexford

Coolkelure, Dunmanway, Co Cork

A late-Victorian house of stone, with gables of timber open-work in the Swiss manner and a pyramidal roofed tower. 

Coollattin (also known as Malton), Shillelagh, Co Wicklow – golf club 

Coolmain Castle, Kilbrittain, Co Cork

Coolmore, Carrigaline, Co Cork

A large late C18 block built 1788 by W.W. Newenham to replace a house built ca 1701 built by Thomas Newenham. 

Coolmore, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny 

Coolnamuck, Carrickbeg, Co Waterford

“A three storey C18 block…Formerly the seat of a branch of the Wall family. It is said that one of the families who owned it in the past lived very extravagantly; and when, as a result, they went bankrupt, they committed mass suicide by driving their coach over the cliff at Tramore. In the present century, the main block became derelict; a house was made in the wing, which in recent years was the home of Mr C.C. Sanders. The house has now been demolished.”

Coolready (see St. Catherine’s)

Cooper Hill, Clarina, Co Limerick

Coopershill, Riverstown, Co Sligo – 482, accommodation 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/01/11/coopershill-house-riverstown-co-sligo/

Coppinger’s Court, Cork, Co.Cork – ruin  

An impressive early to mid C17 semi-fortified house built by Sir Walter Coppinger; with gables, machiolations and mullioned windows. Now a ruin.

Cor Castle, Innishannon, Co Cork

A small, early Gothic Revival castle, its doorway being a Gothicized Venetian window in the Batty Langley manner

Corbally, Taghadoe, Co Kildare 

A small early C18 gable-ended house of two storeys over basement. 

Corballymore (formerly Summerville), Dunmore East, Co Waterford 

Corbalton Hall (formerly Cookstown House), Tara, Co Meath

Corduff, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim 

A two storey five bay house probably of late C18. 

Corick, Clogher, County Tyrone – hotel

https://www.corickcountryhouse.com

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Corkagh House, Clondalkin, Co Dublin – demolished 

Corkbeg, Whitegate, Co Cork – demolished

A square two storey early to mid-C19 house on an island just inside the entrance to Cork Harbour joined to the mainland by a causeway; built to replace an earlier house by the water’s edge.

Corke Lodge, Bray, County Wicklow  – the gardens are open to the public as Section 482. www.corkelodge.com

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/26/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-dublin-city-and-county/

Cornacassa, Monaghan, Co Monaghan

Cornahir (or Cornaher), Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath 

Corradoo, Ballinafad, Co Sligo 

A house built 1768 by William Phibbs, of Hollybrook, for use as a school.

Corries, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

Corville, Roscrea, Co Tipperary

A C18 house with a breakfront centre.  

Costello Lodge, Costello, Co Galway

“A fishing lodge in Connemara, owned earlier this century by J. Bruce Ismay, head of the White Star Line at the time of the sinking of the Titanic and one of the survivors from that ill-fated ship. Burnt 1922 and rebuilt 1925; a two storey house with gables, dormer gables and pantiled roof.” 

Court Hill, Dunboyne, Co Meath 

An elegant mid-C19 neo-Classical villa in the style of J.S. Mulvany, of one storey over a basement and three bays; the centre bay being raised as a pedimented attic. Flanking service tower. Remodelled in Edwardian period.

Courtown, Kilcock, County Kildare 

A plain two storey house of ca 1815, built by John Aylmer to replace the earlier house here, which was burned and looted 1798 during the ownership of his father, Michael Aylmer, who had been unable to rebuilt it, not having received sufficient compensation from the state. Five bay front, with strip pilasters. Much enlarged ca 1900 by J.A. Aylmer, who added a wing at right angles to the original block to form a new entrance front, with a three sided bow and an open porch, at one side of a pedimented projection; containing, among other rooms, a hall with a massive oak staircase. 

Courtown House, Courtown, Co Wexford

A C18 house overlooking the sea at Courtown Harbour, much altered and enlarged C19 after being sacked during 1798 Rebellion. The front of the house…Sold post WWII, subsequently demolished.

Craddenstown, County Westmeath 

Cragleigh House, Ennis, Co Clare

A two storey three bay early C19 house with Wyatt windows and fanlighted doorway, standing in front of an older building to which it is linked.

Craigavad House, County Down 

“A restrained Classical house on the shores of Belfast Lough, built ca 1852 for John Mulholland, afterwards 1^st Lord Dunleath, to the design of the Belfast architect Thomas Turner. Top-lit central hall with a circular gallery and a glazed dome. Now a golf club.”

Craigavon, Strandtown, County Down 

“A two storey Victorian house with a front of two bays on either side of a central bow. Round-headed windows in lower storey, camber-headed windows above. Pavilion with pedimented portico at back of house, joined to main block by orangery. The home of James Craig, 1^st Viscount Craigavon, 1^st Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. Given to the nation.” 

CRAIGAVON HOUSE is owned and run by the Somme Association, a charity which cares for elderly war veterans. The future of Craigavon House remains uncertain.

Craigdun or Craigdunn Castle, Dunminning, County Antrim

A Victorian Scottish Baronial castle of basalt, built by Edmund McNeill. 

Cranagh Castle, Templemore, Co Tipperary 

A three storey house of 1768 built on to a medieval round tower.

Cranaghan House, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan – Slieve Russell hotel? 

Cranmore House, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo 

Cratloe Woods House, Cratloe, County Clare  – private, used to be public, in public woods 

A long, low two storey gable ended C17 house one room thick. Its principal elevation, of thirteen bays, with Georgian sash windows and central three sided bow, is now the garden front; a new entrance front, in simple style with timbered porch, having been added to other side ca 1850 to provide a corridor and larger staircase, possibly to the design of James Pain, who gave the garden front bow a Tudor-Revival gable and heightened the chimneystacks, also in Tudor-Revival style.

Crawfordsburn Park, Bangor, County Down 

Originally a two storey five bay gable-ended house overlooking Belfast Lough. Triple window above fanlighted doorway. Return. Enlarged in C19 gable style. Now a hospital and much altered.

Creagh, Skibbereen, Co Cork

A pleasant Regency house of two storeys over basement, built ca. 1820.  

Creagh Castle/House, Doneraile, Co Cork

Creagh House, County Mayo

Crebilly House, County Antrim 

A two storey C19 Italianate house which from its appearance could be an early work of Sir Charles Lanyon. 

Creevaghmore, Ballymahon, Co Longford 

Cregg Castle, Fermoy, Co Cork

A home of mid-C18 appearance, of three storeys over a basement; the top storey being treated as an attic, above the cornice. 

Cregg Castle, Corrandulla, Co Galway

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Crevenagh House, Omagh, County Tyrone

Crobeg, Doneraile, Co Cork – demolished in 1980s  

Crocknacrieve, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh 

Crom Castle, Newtown Butler, County Fermanagh 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Cromore House, Portstewart, County Derry 

A mid-C18 house of two storeys with a dormered attic and four bays, enlarged and remodelled 1834 by John Cromie, who added a two storey wing on either side, of the same height as the centre; with a single large many-paned window in each storey. 

Cromwellsfort, Co Wexford 

Croney Byrne, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow – courtyard accommodation 

https://croneybyrne.ie

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wicklow-leinster/

Cronroe, Ashford, Co Wicklow – Bel Air hotel and equestrian centre 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wicklow-leinster/

Crossdrum, Oldcastle, Co Meath

Crosshaven House, Crosshaven, Co Cork – whole house rental  

A three storey house built 1769 by William Hayes, wiht two identical fronts of crisp grey ashlar which almost certainly derive from Isaac Ware’s design for Clifton Hill House, Bristol. https://www.crosshavenhouse.ie/

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Crossogue House, Ballycahill, Co Tipperary

An early Victorian house with a high basement. 

Crotto, Kilflynn, Co Kerry – ‘lost’ 

Crowhill, Annaghmore, County Armagh

A two storey late Georgian house; five bay front with one bay pedimented breakfront. 

Cuba Court, Banagher, Co Offaly – demolished 

Cuffesborough, Durrow, Co Laois

A three storey house of 1770 which from both elevation and plan would appear to have been built about thirty years earlier. 

Culdaff House, Carndonagh, Co Donegal  

Cullamore, Carney, Co Sligo 

Cullane, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare – ruin

A Georgian house with a bow window, overlooking the lake. Had a good scrolled overmantel in one room. Now a ruin.  

Culmore House, Ballykelly, County Derry 

A good quality late-Georgian house of brilliant red brick, built 1805.

Cultra Manor, Craigavad, County Down 

Originally a large plain house with a central bow and a battlemented parapet. Towards the end of the C19, or in the opening years of C20, Robert Kennedy, a diplomat who eventually became Minister to Uruguay, replaced the house with a long two storey mansion built of rubble and ashlar facings, which he named Cultra Manor. 

Cultra Bishops’ Palace, Cultra, County Down 

“A gabled Victorian house with a battlemented tower at one corner.” 

Curragh, Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh

A two storey three bay house with quoins, said to have been originally built ca 1699-1700.  

Curragh Chase, Adare, Co Limerick

Curraghmore, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo 

Curraghmore, Portlaw, County Waterford – section 482 in 2019 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/08/01/curraghmore-portlaw-county-waterford/

Curraglass, Co Cork – ‘lost’  

Currarevagh, Oughterard, Co Galway – accommodation 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Curravordy (see Mount Pleasant), Co Cork  

Cuskinny, Cobh, Co Cork  

Note that the majority of these are private houses, not open to the public. I discovered “my bible” of big houses by Mark Bence-Jones only after I began this project of visiting historic houses that have days that they are open to the public (Section 482 properties).

This is a project I have been working on for a while, collecting pictures of houses. Enjoy! Feel free to contact me to send me better photographs if you have them! I’ll be adding letters as I go…

Bagenalstown House, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow

Bailieborough Castle (also known as Lisgar House or The Castle), Co Cavan  – demolished 

Balheary House, Swords, Co Dublin  – demolished 2005 

Ballaghtobin, Callan, Co Kilkenny 

Ballea Castle, County Cork 

This is great, I am finding new places to stay! See their website https://balleacastle.com

Ballibay House (or Ballybay), Ballibay, Co Monaghan – demolished 

Ballin Temple (or Ballintemple), Tullow, Co Carlow – demolished 

Ballina Park, Ashford, Co Wicklow 

Ballinaboola House, Co Wexford

Ballinaboy, Clifden, Co Galway 

Ballinacarriga (or Ballynacarriga), Kilworth, Co Cork 

Ballinaclea (or Ballinclea), Killiney, Co Dublin – demolished 

Ballinaclough House, Nenagh, Co Tipperary 

Ballinacor House, Rathdrum, County Wicklow 

Ballinafad (or Ballinafed), Balla, Co Mayo 

They offer accommodation, see their website: http://www.ballinafadhouse.com

Ballinahina, White’s Cross, Co Cork 

Ballinahown Court (or Ballynahown, Bence Jones), Count Westmeath

Ballinahy, Co Tipperary (see Anner Castle) 

Ballinakill House, Waterford, Co. Waterford 

Ballinalacken, County Clare (see Ballynalacken)

Ballinaminton, Clara, Co Offaly 

Ballinamona, Cashel, Co Tipperary 

Ballinamona Park, Waterford 

Ballinamore House, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo 

Ballinclea, Killiney, County Dublin

Ballinderry Park, Ballinderry Park, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Galway

Ballinderry, Carbury, Co Kildare 

Ballindoon House (formerly Kingsborough), Derry, Co Sligo

Ballingarrane (formerly known as Summerville), Clonmel, Co. Tipperary 

Ballingarry, Co. Limerick: The Turret, see The Turret 

Ballinkeele, Ballymurn, Enniscorthy, Wexford  – whole house rental 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath or Meath – accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-meath-leinster/

Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo 

Ballinsperrig, (see Anngrove), County Cork

Ballintaggart, Colbinstown, Co. Kildare 

Ballinterry House, Rathcormac, Co Cork – accommodation 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Ballintober House, Ballinahassig, Co Cork  – demolished 

Ball’s Grove, Drogheda, Co Louth 

Bally Ellis, County Wexford

Ballyanahan (or Ballyenahan), Co Cork

Ballyanne House, New Ross, Co Wexford

Ballyarnett, Derry, County Derry 

Ballyarthur, Woodenbridge, Co Wicklow 

Ballybricken, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork

Ballybroony, Co Mayo 

Ballyburly, Edenderry, Co Offaly

Ballycanvan House, Waterford, Co Waterford  

Ballycarron House, Golden, Co Tipperary 

Ballycastle Manor House, County Antrim

Ballyclough, Kilworth, Co Cork – partly demolished 

Ballyclough House, Ballysheedy, Co Limerick

Ballyconnell House, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan

Ballyconnell House, Falcarragh, Co Donegal  

Ballyconra House, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny 

Ballycross, Bridgetown, Co Wexford  – demolished 

Ballycullen, Askeaton, Co Limerick 

Ballycurrin Castle, Co Mayo 

Ballycurry, Ashford, Co Wicklow 

Ballydarton, near Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow

Ballydavid, Woodstown, County Waterford

Ballydivity, Ballymoney, County Antrim

Ballydonelan Castle, Loughrea, Co Galway – ‘lost’ 

Ballydrain House, Drumbeg, County Antrim

Ballyduff, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny 

Ballydugan House, Portaferry, County Down

Used to provide accommodation, I’m not sure if it still does.

Ballyedmond, Midleton, Co Cork – demolished after 1960.  

Ballyedmond Castle, Killowen, County Down – can visit gardens. 

Ballyeigan, Birr, Co Offaly

Ballyellis, Buttevant, Co Cork

Ballyfin House, Mountrath, County Laois – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/27/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-laois-leinster/

Ballygally Castle, Larne, County Antrim – hotel

See my entry about it on my page of places to stay in County Antrim https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/03/21/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-county-antrim/

Ballygarth Castle, Julianstown, Co Meath 

Ballygawley Park, Ballygawley, Couny Tyrone

Ballygiblin, near Mallow, Co Cork – ruin  

Ballyglan, Woodstown, Co Waterford 

Ballyglunin Park, Monivea, Co. Galway 

Available for hire https://ballygluninpark.ie

Ballyhaise House, Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan – agricultural college 

Ballyheigue Castle, near Tralee, Co Kerry – ‘lost’  

Ballyhemock (or Ballyhimmock) (see Annes Grove), Co Cork  

Ballyhossett, Downpatrick, County Down 

Ballyin, Lismore, Co Waterford 

Ballykealey, Tullow, Co Carlow – now a hotel 

See my entry on places to stay in County Carlow https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/14/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-leinster-carlow/

Ballykeane, Redcross, County Wicklow

Ballykilbeg, County Down 

Ballykilcavan, Stradbally, Laois – runs a brewery 

Ballykilty, Quin, Co Clare 

Ballykilty, Co Limerick (see Plassey House) 

Ballyknockane, Ballingarry, County Limerick

Ballyknockane Lodge, Ballypatrick, Co. Tipperary

Ballylickey House, Bantry, Co Cork – hotel, Seaview House Hotel

See their website https://seaviewhousehotel.com

Ballylin House, Ferbane, Co Offaly – demolished 

Ballyline House (formerly White House), Callan, Co Kilkenny 

Ballylough House, Bushmills, County Antrim 

See my entry about it on my page of places to stay in County Antrim https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/03/21/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-county-antrim/

Ballymack House, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny 

Ballymaclary House, Magilligan, Co Derry 

Ballymacmoy, Killavullen, Co Cork – coach house airbnb  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Ballymacool, Letterkenny, Co Donegal – ruin  

Ballymagarvey, Balrath, Co Meath – wedding venue

See their website https://www.ballymagarvey.ie

Ballymaloe, Cloyne, Co Cork  – accommodation  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Ballymanus, Stradbally, Co Laois

Ballymartle, Kinsale, County Cork

Ballymascanion (the Cottage), Co Louth  

Ballymascanlon House, Louth  – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-louth-leinster/

Ballymena Castle, County Antrim – demolished

Ballymoney Park, Kilbridge, County Wicklow

Ballymore, Cobh, Co Cork

Ballymore Castle, Laurencetown, Co. Galway 

Ballymore, Camolin, Co Wexford – museum 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Ballymoyer House, Belleek, County Armagh – demolished

Ballynacourty, Co Limerick

Ballynacourty, Tipperary, Co Tipperary (see Ballinacourty) 

Ballynacree House, Ballymoney, County Antrim – available for accommodation

Available for accommodation, https://ballynacreehouse.com

Ballynaguarde, Ballyneety, Co Limerick

Ballynahinch Castle, Connemara, Co. Galway  – hotel

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/05/31/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-galway/

Ballynahown Court, Athlone, Co Westmeath (see Ballinahown Court) 

Ballynalacken Castle, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/01/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-clare/

Ballynaparka, Cappoquin, Co Waterford 

Ballynastragh, Gorey, Co Wexford

Ballynatray House, Glendine, Co Waterford – 482 gardens in 2023 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/12/21/ballynatray-estate-county-waterford-p36-t678-gardens-only/

Ballyneale House, Ballingarry, Co Limerick 

Ballynegall, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

Ballynoe (or Newtown), Tullow, Co Carlow

Ballynoe House, Rushbrooke, Co Cork

Ballynoe, Ballingarry, Co Limerick

Ballynure, Grange Con, Co Wicklow 

Ballyorney House, Enniskerry, County Wicklow

Ballyowen (formerly New Park), Cashel, Co Tipperary

Ballyquin House, Ardmore, Co Waterford 

Ballyragget Grange, County Kilkenny (see The Grange)

Ballyrankin, Ferns, County Wexford

Ballysaggartmore, Lismore, Co Waterford – lost 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/26/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-munster-county-waterford/

Ballysallagh House, Johnswell, Co Kilkenny 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/06/17/ballysallagh-house-johnswell-co-kilkenny/

Ballyscullion, Bellaghy, County Derry – Ballyscullion Park 

Wedding venue https://www.ballyscullionpark.com

Ballyseede Castle/ Ballyseedy, Tralee, county Kerry – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/09/02/ballyseede-castle-ballyseede-tralee-co-kerry/

Ballyshanduffe House (also known as The Derries), Portarlington, Co Laois 

Ballyshannon House, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal  

Ballyteigue Castle, Kilmore Quay, County Wexford

Ballytrent House, Broadway, Co Wexford – one wing rental 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Ballytrim, County Down 

Ballyvolane, Co Cork  – demolished  

Ballyvolane, Castlelyons, Co Cork – Hidden Ireland accommodation  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Ballyvonare (also called Ballinavonear), Buttevant, Co Cork   

Ballywalter Park, Newtownards, Co Down 

See their website https://ballywalterpark.com

Ballyward Lodge, County Down 

Ballywhite House, Portaferry, County Down 

Ballywillwill House, near Castlewellan, County Down 

Balrath, Kells, Co Meath – section 482 and accommodation

See https://balrathcourtyard.ie 

Balrath Bury, County Meath 

Baltiboys, Blessington, Co Wicklow  

Baltrasna, Oldcastle, Co Meath 

Balyna, Moyvalley, Co Kildare – weddings (Moy Valley Hotel)

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/06/08/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kildare/

Bancroft House, County Down 

Bangor Castle, County Down

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/06/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-down-northern-ireland/

Bannow House (originally Grange House), Bannow, Co Wexford 

Bansha Castle, Bansha, Co Tipperary 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-tipperary-munster/

Bantry House & Garden, Bantry, Co. Cork – section 482, and accommodation  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/12/01/bantry-house-garden-bantry-co-cork/

Barbavilla, Collinstown, Co Westmeath 

Barberstown Castle, Kildare  – hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/06/08/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kildare/

Bargy Castle, Tomhaggard, Co Wexford 

Barmeath Castle, Dunleer, Drogheda, Co Louth – section 482 in 2019 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/10/23/barmeath-castle-dunleer-drogheda-county-louth/

Barnabrow, Cloyne, Co Cork – accommodation and wedding venue

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

See their website https://www.barnabrowhouse.ie

Barnane, near Templemore, Co Tipperary

Barne, Clonmel, Tipperary 

Baronrath House, Straffan, Co Kildare

Barons Court, Newtownstewart, County Tyrone

See their website https://barons-court.com

Baronston House (or Baronstown), Ballinacargy, Co Westmeath

Barraghcore House, Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny 

Barretstown Castle, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare  – children’s camp 

Barretstown House, Newbridge, Co Kildare 

Barrowmount, Co Kilkenny 

Barrymore Lodge, Castlelyons, Co Cork 

Barryscourt Castle, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork  – ruin, open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/01/19/office-of-public-works-properties-munster/

Baymount, Clontarf, Co Dublin (Manresa) – owned by Jesuits 

Beamond House, Duleek, County Meath or Beaumond House, Duleek, Co Meath 

Beardiville House, County Antrim 

Bearforest, Mallow, Co Cork 

Beaulieu, Drogheda, County Louth 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2021/03/17/beaulieu-county-louth/

Beaumond House, Duleek, Co Meath 

Beauparc, Co Meath – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/07/22/beauparc-house-beau-parc-navan-co-meath/

Bective House, Bective, Co Meath 

Bedford House, Listowel, Co Kerry 

Beech Park, Clonsilla, Co Dublin 

Beechmount, Rathkeale, Co Limerick 

Beechwood Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

Beechy Park (formerly Bettyfield), Rathvilly, Co Carlow

Belan, Co Laois

Belan, County Kildare – ‘lost’ 

Belcamp House (also known as Belcamp Hutchinson), Balgriffin, County Dublin  – a college 

Belcamp Hall, Balgriffin, County Dublin

Belcamp Park, Balgriffin, County Dublin

Belfast Castle, County Antrim 

See my entry on my page Places to visit and stay in County Antrim https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/03/21/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-county-antrim/

Belfort, Charleville, Co Cork – demolished 1958  

Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Co Dublin 

Belgrove, Cobh, Co Cork – demolished 1954  

Bellaghy Castle and Bawn, Bellaghy, County Derry

Bellair, Ballycumber, County Offaly 

Bellamont Forest, Cootehill, Co Cavan

Bellarena, Magilligan, County Derry 

Belle Isle, Lisbellaw, County Fermanagh 

Belle Isle, Lorrha, Co Tipperary 

Belleek Castle (or Manor, or Ballina House), Ballina, Mayo  – gives tours and hotel 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/15/places-to-stay-and-visit-in-connacht-leitrim-mayo-and-sligo/

Bellegrove (also Rathdaire), Ballybrittas, Co Laois – (demolished) 

Belleview, Co Cavan

Belleville Park (see Bellville) Cappoquin, County Waterford

Bellevue, Tamlaght, County Fermanagh

Bellevue, Co Galway (see Lisreaghan) – ‘lost’ 

Bellevue House, Slieverue, Co Kilkenny 

Bellevue, Co Leitrim 

Bellevue, Borrisokane, County Tipperary

Bellevue, Delgany, Co Wicklow

Belline, Piltown, Co Kilkenny 

Bellinter House near Bective, County Meath – hotel and restaurant 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-meath-leinster/

Bellmont House, Mullingar, County Westmeath

Bellville Park (or Belleville, formerly Bettyville), Cappoquin, Co Waterford 

Bellwood, Templemore, Co Tipperary 

Belmont, Banbridge, County Down

A hotel, https://www.belmontbanbridge.co.uk

Beltrim Castle, Gortin, County Tyrone

Belvedere, Mullingar, County Westmeath– open to visitors 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/05/23/belvedere-house-gardens-and-park-county-westmeath/

Belvedere, County Down 

Belvoir, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare – ruin 

Belvoir Park, Newtownards, County Down – demolished 1950s 

Benburb, County Tyrone: Manor House

Benekerry (or Bennekerry), near Carlow, Co Carlow

Bennett’s Court, Cobh, Co Cork – medical clinic  

Benown (also known as Harmony Hall), Athlone, Co Westmeath 

Benvarden House, Dervock, County Antrim

The gardens are open to the public in the summer, https://www.benvarden.co.uk

Berkeley Forest, New Ross, Co Wexford

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Bermingham House, Tuam, Co Galway 

Bert (or De Burgh Manor), Athy, Co Kildare 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/06/08/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kildare/

Bessborough, Blackrock, Co Cork 

Bessborough, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (Kidalton College) 

Bessmount Park, Drumrutagh, Co Monaghan

Bettyfield (see Beechy Park), County Carlow

Bingfield, Crossdoney, Co Cavan

Bingham Castle, Belmullet, Co Mayo

Birchfield, Co Clare – ‘lost’ 

Birdstown House, Muff, Co Donegal  – burnt ca 1984  

Birr Castle, Co Offaly – open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2025/07/21/birr-castle-county-offaly-section-482/

Bishops’ Palace, (see Clarisford), Killaloe, County Clare 

Bishops’ Palace, Cork, Co Cork

Bishop’s Palace, Derry, County Derry 

Bishops’ Palace, Raphoe, Co Donegal  – a ruin  

Bishop’s Palace, Cultra, County Down

Bishop’s Palace, Dromore, County Down

Bishop’s Palace, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny  

Bishopscourt, Straffan, Co Kildare 

Black Castle, Navan, Co Meath

Black Hall, Termonfeckin, Co Louth 

Blackhall, Clane, Co Kildare 

Blackrock, Bantry (see Bantry House), Co Cork  

Blackwater Castle (or Castle Widenham), Castletownroche, Co Cork

Available for hire, see my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/17/places-to-visit-and-stay-munster-county-cork/

Blanchville, Gowran, Co Kilkenny 

Coachyard accommodation, see https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/28/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kilkenny-leinster/

Blandsfort, Abbeyleix, Co Laois 

Blarney Castle, Co Cork – section 482 – open to the public  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/09/23/blarney-castle-rock-close-blarney-co-cork/

Blarney House & Gardens, Blarney, Co Cork – section 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/09/30/blarney-house-gardens-blarney-co-cork/

Blayney Castle, or Hope Castle, County Monaghan

Blessingbourne, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/04/03/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-counties-fermanagh-monaghan-and-tyrone/

Blessington House, Co Wicklow

Bloomfield, Claremorris, Co Mayo – demolished 

Bloomfield, Co Westmeath 

Bloomsbury House, Kells, County Meath 

Boakefield, Ballitore, Co Kildare 

Bogay, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal 

Bolton Castle, Moone, Co Kildare 

Bonnettstown Hall, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny  

Boomhall, County Derry 

Borris House, County Carlow – section 482 in 2019 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/10/04/borris-house-county-carlow/

Borrismore House (formerly Marymount), Urlingford, Co Kilkenny 

Bowen’s Court, Kildorrery, County Cork – demolished 1961  

Boyne House (see Stackallan) County Meath

Boytonrath, Cashel, Co Tipperary 

Bracklyn Castle, Killucan, Co Westmeath 

Brade House, Leap, Co Cork

Braganstown, Castlebellingham, Co Louth 

Braganza, Carlow, Co Carlow – converted into apartments

Breaghwy (or Breaffy), Castlebar, Co Mayo – hotel

Brianstown, Cloondara, Co Longford 

Bridestown, Glenville, Co Cork

Bridestream House, Knocknatulla, Co Meath 

Brightsfieldstown, Minane Bridge, Co Cork – demolished 1984  

Brittas Castle, Clonaslee, Co Laois – ruin 

Brittas, Nobber, County Meath 

Brittas Castle, Thurles, Co Tipperary 

Brockley Park, Stradbally, Co Laois – a ruin 

Brook Lodge, Glanmire, Co Cork – new house  

Brook Lodge, Halfway House, Co Waterford 

Brookfield House, County Down 

See https://www.abandonedni.com/single-post/brookfield-house

Brooklands, Belfast

Browne’s Hill House, Chapelstown, Co Carlow

Brownhall, Ballintra, Co Donegal 

Brownlow House, Lurgan, County Armagh – National Trust 

See my entry on my page https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-armagh-northern-ireland/

Brownsbarn, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny 

Brownswood, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford 

Bruree House, Bruree, County Limerick

Bullock Castle, Dalkey, Co Dublin

Buncrana Castle, Buncrana, Co Donegal

Bunowen Castle, Co Galway  – ‘lost’ 

Bunratty Castle, Co. Clare – open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/01/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-clare/

Burgage, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow

Accommodation is available in the mews, www.themews.ie/

Burnchurch House, Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny  

Burnham House, near Dingle, Co Kerry 

Burntcourt Castle, or Burncourt, or Everard’s Castle, Clogheen, Co Tipperary 

Burrenwood Cottage, County Down 

Burton Hall, County Carlow – demolished

A three-bay single-storey over basement granite built residence remains, built c. 1725, originally wing of the larger house, which was demolished around 1930.

Burton Park (formerly Burton House), Churchtown, Co Cork – section 482 in 2019  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/02/08/burton-park-churchtown-mallow-county-cork-p51-vn8h/

Burtown House and Garden, Athy, Co Kildare – section 482 in 2019 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/06/08/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-kildare/

Busherstown, Moneygall, County Offaly 

Bushfield, Co Kerry (see Kilcoleman Abbey) 

Bushy Park, Terenure, Co Dublin – apartments 

Butlerstown Castle, Tomhaggard, Co Wexford 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Buttevant Castle, Buttevant, Co. Cork  – ruin  

Byblox, Doneraile, Co Cork – demolished  

Yesterday I posted the first of my entries based on Mark Bence-Jones’s Guide to Irish Country Houses [1] but today I have updated it with links to my relevant entries, about the places which are open to the public or which provide accommodation. I will make sure to include them in further entries. Do let me know if I need to update my site or include other accommodation etc. Here’s the updated page: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2025/09/26/a-guide-to-irish-county-houses-by-mark-bence-jones-contents-and-pictures-houses-beginning-with-a/

[1] Bence-Jones, Mark. A Guide to Irish Country Houses published by Constable and Company Limited, London, 1988, previously published by Burke’s Peerage Ltd as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses, vol. 1 Ireland, 1978.

Note that the majority of these are private houses, not open to the public. I discovered “my bible” of big houses by Mark Bence-Jones only after I began this project of visiting historic houses that have days that they are open to the public (Section 482 properties).

This is a project I have been working on for a while, collecting pictures of houses. Enjoy! Feel free to contact me to send me better photographs if you have them! I’ll be adding letters as I go…

[1] 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.

Abbeville, Malahide, Co Dublin

“A house built for Rt Hon John Beresford, Taster of the Wines in the Port of Dublin, brother of the 1^st Marquess of Waterford and one of the most powerful men in Ireland at the end of C18; its name commemorating the fact that Bereford’s first wife came from Abbeville in Northern France. Of two storeys over a basement; front of 7 bays between two wide curved bows prolonged by singe-storey 1 bay wings, each with a fanlighted triple window and an urn on a die. Pilastered entrance doorway. Good drawing room with alcove, ceiling of Adamesque plasterwork and husk decoration on walls, incorporating circular painted medallions.” [1]

Abbeylands, Whiteabbey, Co Antrim – burnt 1914

“A two storey Victorian house, vaguely Italianate, but with mullioned windows in the centre of its symmetrical front. Shallow curved bows on either side of front, single storey Ionic porch; narrow pedimented attic storey, with three narrow windows, in centre. Burnt 1914 by Suffragettes.” (!) [1]

Abbeyleix House, County Laois

Abbeyville, Ballymote, Co Sligo – lost

Abbotstown House (formerly also known as Sheephill), Castleknock, Co Dublin – sports centre 

Aberdelghy, Lambeg, Co Antrim

Aclare House,  Drumconrath, Co Meath

Adare Manor, County Limerick – hotel

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/07/21/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-limerick/

Adelphi, Corofin, Co Clare

Affane House, County Waterford

Aggard, Craughwell, County Galway

Aghaboe, Ballybrophy, County Laois

Aghada House, Aghada, Co Cork – gone

Aghade Lodge, Tullow, Co Carlow

Aghadoe House, Killarney, County Kerry

Aghamarta Castle, Carrigaline, Co Cork – house with ruined castle

Aghern, Conna, Co Cork – stud farm

Ahanesk or Ahanisk, Midleton, Co Cork

Aharney, County Laois

Aherlow Castle, Bansha, County Tipperary  – ruin restored, runs courses 

Allenton, Tallaght, Co Dublin – Demolished in 1984

Altamira, Liscarroll, Co Cork

Altamont, Kilbride, Co Carlow – gardens open to public /

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/02/21/office-of-public-works-properties-leinster-carlow-kildare-kilkenny/

Altavilla, Rathkeale, Co Limerick 

Altidore Castle, Kilpeddar, Greystones, Co Wicklow – section 482

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2020/06/25/altidore-castle-kilpeddar-greystones-county-wicklow/

Ampertain House, Upperlands, County Derry 

Anaverna, Dundalk, Co Louth 

Anketill Grove (or Ancketill’s Grove or Anketell Grove), Emyvale,  County Monaghan – gate lodge accommodation 

Anna Liffey House, Lucan, Co Dublin 

Annagh, Riverstown, Co Tipperary – ruin 

Annaghdown House, Carrandulla, Co Galway 

Annaghlee, Cootehill, Co Cavan – gone

Annaghmore, Tullamore, Offaly – recent sale 

Annaghmore, Collooney, Sligo  – accommodation, airbnb 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-sligo-connaught/

Annaghs Castle, Glenmore, Co Kilkenny 

Annamakerrig (or Annaghmakerrig, Tyrone Guthrie Centre), Newbliss, Co Monaghan – artist residence 

Annemount, Glounthaune, Co Cork – Fire in 1948, destroyed 

Anner Castle (formerly Ballinahy), Clonmel, Co Tipperary  

“An impressive C19 castle of random ashlar, built in 1860s by Rev. N.H. Mandeville to the design of a Cork architect, William Atkins; incorporating an old square castle of the Mandeville family which had up to then been known as Ballinahy, but which was renamed Anner Castle after being enlarged and transformed. Impressive entrance front with two octagonal battlemented and machicolated towers. Burnt 1926 and only front part rebuilt.” [1]

Annerville, Clonmel, Co Tipperary  

Annes Grove (formerly Ballyhemock or Ballyhimmock), Castletownroche, Co Cork – gardens open to public; gate lodge accommodation

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/01/19/office-of-public-works-properties-munster/

Annesbrook, Duleek, Co Meath 

Annestown House, County Waterford – B&B 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/26/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-munster-county-waterford/

Anngrove (formerly Ballinsperrig), Carrigtwohill, Co Cork – demolished by ca. 1965

Antrim Castle, County Antrim – open to the public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/03/21/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-ulster-county-antrim/

Antrim Castle gardens and Clotworthy House, County Antrim – estate and gardens open to the public, the Castle was destroyed by fire. The stable block, built in the 1840s and now known as Clotworthy House, is used as an arts centre.

Aras an Uachturain, (formerly Vicegreal Lodge and before that, Phoenix Lodge), Phoenix Park, Dublin  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/17/office-of-public-works-dublin-aras-an-uachtarain-phoenix-park/

Arbutus Lodge, Montenotte, Co. Cork  – apartments  

Arch Hall, Co Meath  – lost 

Archbishop’s Palace (or Armagh Palace), County Armagh 

Archerstown, Thurles, Co Tipperary  – ruin 

Ardagh House, County Longford

Ardamine, Gorey, Co Wexford – Destroyed by IRA in 1921  

Ardavilling, Cloyne, Co Cork  – burned 2017, being rebuilt  

Ardbraccan House, Navan, Co Meath 

Ardbrack House, Kinsale, Co Cork 

Ardcandrisk House, County Wexford 

Ardee House, Co Louth – hospital 

Ardfert Abbey, County Kerry   – Destroyed by IRA by fire in 1922. 

Ardfinnan Castle, Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary 

Ardfry, County Galway  – ruins 

Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, County Dublin  – open to public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/15/places-to-visit-in-dublin-ardgillan-castle-balbriggan-county-dublin/

Ardglass Castle (also known as The Newark), County Down

Ardigon, Killyleagh, County Down

Ardkeen, Waterford, Co Waterford – hospital 

Ardmore, Passage West, Co Cork

Ardmore Place, Bray, Co Wicklow – film studio 

Ardmulchan, Beauparc, Co. Meath 

Ardnalee, Carrigrohane, Co Cork 

Ardnargle, Limavady, County Derry 

Ardo (also known as Ardogena), Ardmore, Co Waterford

Ardowen House, Co Sligo 

Ardoyne House, Edenderry, County Antrim 

Ardress House, Charlemont, County Armagh (National Trust), open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-armagh-northern-ireland/

Ardrum, Inniscarra, Co Cork – demolished  

Ardrumman House, Ramelton, County Donegal (supplement)

Ards, Sheephaven, Donegal - demolished ca 1965  

Ardsallagh, Navan, Co Meath 

Ardsallagh, Fethard, Co Tipperary 

Ardtully, Co Kerry  – burnt in 1921, ruin 

The Argory, Charlemont, County Armagh (National Trust) – open to the public

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-armagh-northern-ireland/

Armagh Palace, County Armagh (see Archbishops’ Palace, County Armagh)

Artramon House, Castlebridge, Co Wexford – B&B 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/11/15/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wexford/

Ash Hill Towers, Kilmallock, Co Limerick  – hidden Ireland accommodation, was 482 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/04/06/ash-hill-kilmallock-co-limerick/

Ash Park, Feeny, County Derry (glamping) 

Ashbourne House, Co Cork  – no longer a hotel 

Ashbrook, County Derry – whole house rental accommodation 

See my entry on https://irishhistorichouses.com/2023/10/05/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-derry-northern-ireland/

Ashburn, Limerick, County Limerick 

Ashfield, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin 

Ashfield Lodge, Cootehill, Co Cavan – gone  

Ashford Castle, Cong, County Galway/ County Mayo  – hotel 

See my entry in https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/05/15/places-to-stay-and-visit-in-connacht-leitrim-mayo-and-sligo/

Ashgrove, Co Cavan

Ashgrove, Cobh, Co Cork – demolished  

Ashley Park, Nenagh, Co Tipperary  – accommodation 

See my entry: https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/19/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-tipperary-munster/

Ashline, Ennis, Co Clare

Ashton House, Castleknock, Co Dublin 

Ashurst, Killiney, Co Dublin 

Askeaton Castle, Limerick  

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/11/17/office-of-public-works-properties-in-county-tipperary/

Assolas, Kanturk, Co Cork 

Athavallie, Castlebar, County Mayo 

Athcarne Castle, Duleek, Co Meath

Athclare Castle, Co Louth 

Athgoe Park, Hazelhatch, Co Dublin 

Attyflin, Patrickswell, Co Limerick  

Auburn, Athlone, Co Westmeath – Now in use as offices

Aughentaine Castle, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone

This is a private home and the gardens are not open to the public: https://aughentaine.com

Augher Castle, County Tyrone (see Spur Royal)

Aughrane Castle, also known as Castle Kelly, Ballygar, Co Galway  – demolished 1951 

Aughnagaddy House, Ramelton, County Donegal (supplement)

Avondale House, County Wicklow – open to public 

See my entry https://irishhistorichouses.com/2022/10/20/places-to-visit-and-stay-in-county-wicklow-leinster/

Avonmore, Annamoe, Co Wicklow 

Ayesha Castle, Victoria Road, Killiney, Dublin 

Just a reminder to my readers, https://openhousedublin.com/whats-on/

I love Heritage Week, people are so generous with their time. I will be writing about it in the next couple of weeks but here is a quick preview of our week.

We visited Counties Roscommon and Sligo and stayed in the beautiful Andresna House B&B on the shore of Lake Arrow. https://www.andresnahouse.com

Andresna House was probably built as a fishing or hunting lodge, and I will be adding it to my “Places to visit and stay in County Sligo.” Owners Andy and Myriam were unable to determine its precise age, but a nearby house with the same design was built in 1795. I like that the owners run the B&B with an emphasis on organic produce and bed linen – it is a haven of beauty, fine taste and tranquility.

Unfortunately we were only able to stay for one night as we had to get back to Dublin, but while in the area we visited Castlecoote in County Roscommon, Temple House in County Sligo and a property that is not on the Revenue Section 482 list but has been recently renovated and opened for B&B accommodation, Frybrook House in Boyle, County Roscommon https://frybrook.ie.

I was disappointed to learn that Temple House is no longer taking bookings for separate bedrooms for overnight guests, and is only available for group rental. I understand that it’s difficult to run a B&B (and they also served dinner) and I think Roderick and his family feel the need to step back from that end of hospitality. What a splendid house it is! The tour confirmed the Perceval links with Burton Park in County Cork, another Section 482 property https://irishhistorichouses.com/2024/02/08/burton-park-churchtown-mallow-county-cork-p51-vn8h/

At Temple House I met a historian who had worked in the Jacobean Kiplin Hall in Yorkshire, built in the 1620s for George Calvert, founder of Maryland in the United States. I was thrilled when she told me she is familiar with my website. It was great to receive a vote of confidence. She shared with me photographs of a visit she had made earlier in the week to the beautiful Raford House in Galway, a member of Historic Houses of Ireland which is not normally open to the public. This year the Historic Houses of Ireland participated in the Open Doors initiative, giving visitors an opportunity to explore homes that are not normally open to the public. https://www.ihh.ie I learned of the initiative too late to make plans, unfortunately – I do hope they do it again next year! I would have loved to avail of the opportunity to visit Ballydarton in County Carlow, Lohort Castle and Laurentinum House in Cork, Richmond House in Fermoy, Roundwood and Ballykilcalvan in Laois, Castlegarde in Limerick and Castlecor in Longford.

On Tuesday Stephen and I returned to Birr Castle for another tour – it’s so rich with living history, antiques, portraits, Gothic vaulting, brocades, enormous pelmets, crests and tapestries, I would need hours to take in its splendour and stories.

We had a little wander on the grounds to the formal gardens but didn’t have long until our tour at Bellefield House and Gardens nearby. Architect and landscape architect Angela Jupe left her beloved house, renovated outbuildings and nearly two acre walled gardens to the Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland, and the head gardener led tours during Heritage Week. The gardens are often open to the public during the year – check their website for details https://rhsi.ie/rhsi-bellefield/. I was excited that we were allowed to see inside the house as well as the garden on this Heritage Week tour. I love Angela Jupe’s taste in decor and furnishing, and her fondness for architectural salvage. Note that the coach house, renovated by Angela, can be rented as accommodation too. The website tells us that it has an accessible downstairs double bedroom and shower room and an upstairs mezzanine room with a double bed. There’s a fully equipped kitchen and an open plan living room and stove with access directly out onto the lower walled garden. For enquiries for both events in the large open space or accommodation, check the website.

Angela previously owned Fancroft Mill in County Tipperary, another Section 482 property which I look forward to visiting.

We enjoyed the tour of the garden and learned that good garden hygeine should help to cure our apple trees of their black spot infection. For the third time that week we sampled apples – or in the case of Castlecoote, delicious sweet apple juice.

Due to the heatwave we had to take a break from house visits in order to drive down to Wexford to water my vegetable garden. I was disappointed to realise that Ballyhack Castle, a tower house owned by the Office of Public Works but closed most of the time, was open for most of Heritage Week this year but closed on the days we were in Wexford!

However, we returned to Dublin to visit Howth Castle on Friday. Historian Daniel Eglington-Carey, who currently lives in the castle and gives tours, explained how the forecourt displays the different dates when parts of the castle were built. The St. Lawrence family settled in the location nearly 800 years ago and only moved out recently. None of the original structure remains, but the gate tower dates from 1450. My friend Gary and I really enjoyed the tour, and look forward to returning as a longer tour brings visitors to the Lutyens garden behind the castle. https://howthcastle.ie I’ll be updating my page soon with more about our visit.