Lismore Castle

Lismore Castle is the Irish home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and one of Ireland's most sought-after exclusive-use properties.

The castle sleeps up to 27 people. On-hand throughout is the family’s personal team, with everyone from the butler, cook and gardener ensuring that you enjoy the most memorable stay.

You and your guests are sure to experience fine interiors, 800 years of history, and a warm Irish welcome.

The Castle

Accessed via a long, walled drive, Lismore Castle’s history is everywhere you look, from the stained-glass windows and thick stone walls, to the centuries-old gardens and the exceptional artworks by Old Masters and leading contemporary artists.

You will find a series of magnificent spaces, including the soaring, Medieval banqueting room, or less formal corners – such as the toy-stuffed children’s playroom or private courtyard garden.

Timeless and elegant, the 15 bedrooms (sleeping up to 27 people) allow you and your guests to spread out and relax. No two rooms are alike, with some featuring roll-top baths and tapestries, others roaring fires and forest views. Personal touches, such as family photos and portraits, are prevalent throughout. See Breakdown

The family’s team of private staff – including butlers, gardeners and cooks – will take care of your every need throughout your stay.

The team at Lismore Castle can arrange a wealth of activities, both in the grounds and the surrounding area. From relaxing with a movie in the home cinema to learning to carve with the resident stonemason or catching your own salmon.

Dining

Breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner are meticulously planned by the head chef, who makes everything from scratch – right down to the delicious jams, chutneys and apple juice, created with produce from the castle gardens. Dine in the splendour of the banqueting hall, relax in the dining room, or cosy up next to the firepit for supper under the stars.

The Grounds

Lismore Castle’s seven acres of gardens are open to the public by day but exclusively yours come early evening. Among their meadows and daisy-filled orchards, dine in a greenhouse designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, and discover Lismore Castle Arts, a gallery hosting internationally-renowned exhibitions. Exclusive evening activities can be arranged for guests – from decadent outdoor dinner parties to lively kids’ table tennis tournaments.

The Area

Take in panoramic views on a trek in the Knockmealdown Mountains, kayak along the River Blackwater and explore the wild coastline of Ardmore. Or, for a dose of cultural exuberance, visit the county of Cork, where you’ll find the famous Jameson Distillery, as well as a number of the region’s award-winning restaurants.

History

Originally built in 1185 by King John, Lismore Castle was owned in turn by Sir Walter Raleigh and Richard Boyle, First Earl of Cork, before passing to the Fourth Duke of Devonshire in 1753. The castle is designed in Gothic style and contains some of the finest examples of domestic Pugin furniture still in private hands. The gardens, laid out over eight acres within the 17th-century outer defensive walls, are believed to be the oldest in Ireland and retain much of their original Jacobean form.

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