The first known house at Lisnavagh is thought to have been built by William Bunbury in 1696 in the parklands below the existing house and that there were farm buildings fairly close by. The map from the 1840 Ordnance Survey shows the location of this house, grounds and buildings, but there is little else to tell us what sort of a house this was, or what style it was in. Interestingly, the map also shows "Foundations of House" to the North West, near the top of the hill, which is where a new house was planned but never completed. There is still a large square hole in the ground there. The new house was actually built nearer to the old house in the end.

In 1847, Captain William McClintock Bunbury commissioned the very reputable Daniel Robertson to build a "New House at Lisnavagh". Daniel Robertson had already proved himself with his designs at Powerscourt and Johnstown Castle, amongst several other places, and Lisnavagh was probably one of the last serious designs that he undertook. As well as the house, Daniel Robertson also designed the gardens and pleasure grounds, and the farmyard about a mile away.

In 1952 about two thirds of the house was taken down and the house remodelled to take account of the significant reduction in house staff and the generally bleak financial outlook at the time. Electricity was also introduced into the house at this time. The pleasure grounds and gardens had largely been "let go" in and around the World Wars and much of them became overgrown and abandoned.
In 2005, the house has been fully rewired and is undergoing redecoration. A re-roofing programme has also commenced.

The Gardens
Lady Rathdonnell has stunningly restored the original Victorian gardens over the past thirty years.

The Gardens were originally designed by Daniel Robertson (of Powerscourt and Johnstown Castle fame, amongst others) in the 1850's. Many of the original trees and features were retained at that time, and since then, much work has gone into the restoration of the pleasure grounds so that their splendour may be enjoyed again.

Lisnavagh offers 14 acres of Pleasure Grounds, Mixed Borders, a Walled Garden and Rock Gardens in which to spend a relaxing hour or two. As well as the more unusual shrubs, there are many fine yews, oaks, chestnuts, limes and other great trees to see. Snowdrops, daffodils, bluebells and other seasonal plants clothe the ground beneath a wonderful array of trees and shrubs, including some magnificent rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, embothriums and many other unusual shrubs, as well as some of the most spectacular Irish yews. The Mixed Border, against a lovely Granite Wall, is set off by acres of lawn, upon which peacocks strut and preen themselves; the Rock Garden, in a superb setting, is a haven of interesting plants.

"Lisnavagh is a Victorian Gothic mansion set around ten acres of pleasure grounds. There's this feeling of grandeur as you sweep up the drive to the house. My favourite aspects of the garden have to be the spectacular Irish Yews, but there is also a large walled garden where peacocks strut their stuff among old fruit trees." The Holiday Magazine

For a more detailed history of Lisnavagh House,
please visit www.turtlebunbury.com.

I, William Bunbury, am the author of this article, Lisnavagh House, and I release its content under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 and later.