Castletown House was built in the 1720s for the Speaker of the House William Connolly, the wealthiest commoner in Ireland, and his wife Louisa.
The house was bought by a property developer in 1965, but was saved from redevelopment two years later when it was acquired by the Irish Georgian Society and opened to the public. Today it stands beautifully preserved as a palatial embodiment of elegance and refinement.
Nestled in an idyllic rural setting, Castletown House is the perfect place for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. Georgian opulence is everywhere, and hourly tours offer real insights into not only the house itself, but also the lives of those who have occupied it over the years.
As you pass through the breathtaking Grand Entrance Hall and climb the impressive cantilevered staircase – a wonder of engineering, and the largest of its kind in Ireland – the centuries seem to fall away and it is easy to imagine oneself the lucky guest at one of Lady Louisa’s famous banquets. You can almost smell the sumptuous seven-course meal wafting up from the kitchens.
Once you have had your fill of boudoirs and oak-panelled drawing rooms, rococo plasterwork and gorgeous wallpaper, vaulted ceilings hung with chandeliers, round out your visit with a stroll through the grounds. As you take in the nature reserve, the soaring obelisk, the River Liffey and the pathways lined with lime trees, you’ll feel not just miles but centuries away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.