Seven super stately homes to visit in Ireland

A visit to a stately home in Ireland is the opportunity to delve into incredible stories, sink into opulence and sample, for a while, the life of the aristocracy. Here are seven not to be missed when you are able to travel again.

Bantry House, County Cork
Regarded as one of the finest stately homes in Ireland, eighteenth-century Bantry House overlooks the Wild Atlantic Way. Enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant library, stroll through the beautiful, terraced gardens or, for some real indulgence, rent the East Wing on a self-catering basis. Accommodating up to 14 people, the sumptuous rooms are furnished with silk curtains, Irish woollens and period furniture, and overlook the Italianate garden. 

Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Take a tour of this imposing Georgian mansion to hear the fascinating stories of the Cole family who lived there for 250 years. Admire the luxurious furnishings and Rococo plasterwork and then spend time in the expansive gardens and woodland trails where you will find the mother of all Irish yew trees and enjoy sweeping vistas across the beautiful Fermanagh countryside.

Clonalis House, County Roscommon
Wake up in a four-poster bed in the ancestral home of the last High Kings of Ireland. This is one of the many things on offer at Clonalis House, which is owned by direct descendants of the kings of Connacht. Wonderful dining, luxurious surroundings and a warm welcome combine to make a stay, or just a day visit, to this grand house a truly memorable experience.

Lissadell House, County Sligo
Famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz, a key figure in Ireland’s 1916 Easter Rising, and frequented by Nobel laureate W.B. Yeats, Lissadell is steeped in history. Find out more on a guided tour of the house where you will see the elegant reception rooms as well as the servants’ quarters and fascinating historical exhibitions. Relax and enjoy home-baked food in the tearoom and then wander through the pretty Alpine garden.

Crom Castle, County Fermanagh
Crom has been the home to the Crichton family, Earls of Erne, for centuries. Although still the private residence for Lord and Lady Erne, the castle’s sumptuous west wing is available for rent for up to 12 people. It’s set in the magnificent surroundings of a 1,900-acre parkland estate, a tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historic ruins where you can roam at will.

Ballyfin Demesne, County Laois
Sitting at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in Ireland’s Ancient East, Ballyfin is a lavish regency mansion decorated with Irish art and antiques from around the world. A stay in one of the 20 opulent bedrooms, each uniquely decorated, is pure indulgence. The estate’s 614 acres of parkland, ancient woods and a 28-acre lake form an outdoor playground where you can enjoy coarse fishing, clay shooting, cycling, horse riding and falconry.

Newbridge House, County Dublin
This Georgian house with its traditional working farm is a wonderful place to spend the day. Experience the upstairs-downstairs tour that reveals what life was like for the gentry and their servants and view remarkable artefacts such as the Cabinet of Curiosities. The tour also includes a visit to the farm where rare breeds can be seen and access to the delightful Walled Garden which dates from 1765.

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