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4 bedrooms in the main house + 4 self catering 3 and 4 bedroom cottages. Can sleep up to 33 guests in total.
Capacity: Unknown
“A STEP BACK IN TIME, A MEMORY FOREVER.” – TONY AND YVONNE MARTIN
Although it has been sensitively restored and beautifully decorated, history pervades this Victorian Italianate mansion, in rooms where portraits look out from gold-hued walls, from crinkly sixteenth-century books in the library, from antique-scattered hallways, from fires crackling in enormous grates, from hushed corridors and good old-fashioned hospitality. The ruins of one of the ancestral homes of the O’Conor’s still remain on the demesne, lost to nature’s steady growth and although abandoned in 1880, is still visible.
The present house was built by Charles Owen O’Conor Don (Pyers’s great grandfather), to the design of well-known English architect F Pepys Cockrell. Inside it’s a tribute to its glory days. In the hallway a family portrait of Hugh O’Conor (who founded Tucson in Arizona) hangs alongside a flag “The Standard of St Patrick” carried by Denis O’Conor Don at the coronation of George V in 1911 – the first Gaelic family to be so honoured.
In the billiard room, now a museum, visitors will discover letters and papers from the family archives, including notes written by such famous personalities as O’Connell, Parnell, Gladstone and Laurence Stern, an original facsimile of King Charles 1 death warrant complete with Oliver Cromwell’s signature and the last known brehon law judgement dating from the sixteenth century. However, pride of place in this room is the harp that was once played by Turlough Carolan (1674-1738), the famous blind musician and last of the traditional Irish bards. He often played at Bellangare House and once remarked that ‘when I am among the O’Conors, the harp has the old sound in it’. Over 100,000 manuscripts are preserved in the home’s archives but some, including the diaries of Charles O’Conor of Bellinagare (1710-1790), the great historian, are on display in the manuscript room.
The beautiful library, home to over 7,000 ancient tomes is considered to be one of the best collections in private ownership in Ireland and, along with its sink-into-me sofa and cosy atmosphere, is a good reason why guests often lose a few hours of their day or have enjoyed the comfort of late-night library-room revelling. The house also has a Roman Catholic chapel which contains a number of relics from penal times including a penal law altar from a secret chapel in the former house and a chalice once used by Bishop O’Rourke to Celebrate Mass.
Outside, you’ll find the O’Conor Inauguration Stone (or Coronation Stone), once Ireland’s most important stone, said to have been used to inaugurate up to 30 O’Conor kings and other wonderful period features remain throughout, right down to the antique telephones in the hallway, the Minton porcelain in the drawing room and an original William Morris drapes in the gold bedroom. Nothing has changed in centuries except, perhaps, the cows. “Everything is still here because it’s a family home and we want guests to enjoy it,” says Richard. “You might have Charles O’Conor’s ink pot in the manuscript room or an antique water jug in a bedroom; you remove one and you’re removing part of the story.”
“What a fairytale, but better because it’s real.” Jane Shaw
Borrow a piece of history for your wedding, party the night away before waking up to wander the 700-acre estate the next day. Clonalis has all the hallmarks required for a wedding: romantic setting, elegant historic house yet relaxed country manor, beautiful gardens, its own chapel and delicious food and wines to boot. Vows beneath an ancient oak tree or in the cosy chapel are one of the many wedding highlights. Post vows, celebrate with elderflower bellinis on the front lawn before dinner for 26 guests is served in the elegant dining room – a traditional, refined affair with candles, flowers, wine pairings and thoughtful menus. The well-honed kitchen is adept at delivering everything from canapes to five-course menus that champion top-quality produce from local artisan producers. For larger parties, a marquee in the walled orchard provides ample space.
There are manicured lawns for drinks receptions, an elegant staircase complete with original banister perfect for wedding photographs and you’ll be spoilt for choice outside too, with woods, walled orchard and rolling parkland as stunning photogenic backdrops. Available for exclusive use, up to 33 can stay and share the excitement, right through to the morning-after bleary breakfast, without having to go anywhere. In addition to the perfect setting, the experience and attention to detail of the owners give you a personalised, dedicated service, helping you at every stage of the planning process to make it your wedding, your way. Sit back and enjoy the celebrations and our dedicated team will cater to your needs. Make a long weekend of it as there’s plenty for wedding guests to do, like golf, tennis, horse riding nearby and clay pigeon shooting and, with daily train services between Castlerea and Dublin, Knock airport just 26kms away and Dublin a two-hour drive, guests can get here with ease.
