The
Duke of Devonshire...
was the richest man in England when he built Ballyrafter House in the early 1800's. This fine country residence
was intended for his estate manager and is a testament
to the gracious life style of its first owners.
The Public Rooms...
feature fourteen foot ceilings, ornate molding, luxuriant
fireplaces, polished mahogany and plush
carpets. Large windows overlook the acres of garden.
There is a comfortable resident's lounge where
aperitifs can be enjoyed in front of the open log
fire. And the dining room with its large bay window overlooks
the spacious gardens. At night
the window tables overlook the spectacularly lit towers and bastions
of Lismore Castle - a fairytale made real.
"Unpretentious Comforts"
Though elegant, Ballyrafter offers, in the
words of one writer, "unpretentious comforts". The
place does not feel stuffy, but warm and welcoming. The sun
room/conservatory and lounge bar contribute to this
feeling of peaceful relaxation. So does the excellent Restaurant featuring local foods. Breakfast is included with all
bookings.
Yours
hosts, Joe and Noreen Willoughby, are happy to share their local
knowledge, love of cooking and fishing, and their sunny home.
Hotel Amenities
- All
bedrooms are ensuite
- Suites available
- Direct Dial phones
- Tea & Coffee Machines in every room
- Hairdryers in every room
- Resident's
Lounge
- Dining
Room
- Lounge
Bar
- Sun Room/Conservatory
- Spacious
Lawned Gardens
- Private
Parking
- Central heating controlled by individual thermostats
- Individually appointed rooms with Georgian style furnishings
A Touch of History
Ballyrafter comes from the Irish "Baile an Reachtúir". In English, that is Home of the Rector, or The Provost's Land.
In the 1500's , Ballyrafter was part of a huge church estate. In 1591, Sir Walter Raleigh leased these church lands. Just over a decade later, he sold the entire estate to Sir Richard Boyle, the flamboyant "Earl of Cork".
For many years, Ballyrafter was simply the commonage where the citizens of Lismore grazed their cattle and sheep. By 1659, though, there were 69 full time residents of the townsland.
We know that by 1850, Ballyrafter House was built and the first in-depth government survey valued the house and ancillary buildings at 23 pounds. By contrast, the average cottage was worth around 1 pound sterling.
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