By Elizabeth LEE

Tuesday January 26 2010

IT was like stepping back in time when the historic Lisnavagh House in Rathvilly recently flung open its doors to the public.

The house, owned by the Bunbury family, is now a venue for weddings and parties but the great unwashed had their chance to look around its magnificent rooms when the open day took place.

Those who ventured through the fog reaped their rewards by cosying down in front of open log fires, flutes of champagne and delicious steaming soup in hand.

A tour of the home was given as people were shown through four interconnecting function rooms before heading upstairs to view individually styled bedrooms. Indeed, one of the four-poster beds is so luxurious that it's been dubbed the 'most magnificent bed in Ireland' by one travel writer.

Aisling Pierce provided a suitable soundtrack to the proceedings by playing tunes on the piano while historian, Turtle Bunbury, gave visitors a fascinating account of the estate's history.

Lisnavagh is the home of Lord and Lady Rathdonnell and if the walls could talk, then they'd certainly be worth listening to. It's believed that Oscar Wilde found inspiration while down in Lisnavagh where he went 'bunburying', a term that's used to hilarious effect in his play The Importance of Being Earnest.

At the recent open day, the Bunbury family were on hand to ensure their visitors got to appreciate the house's beauty and, indeed, history, fully.

For further information, contact Emily on the telephone number below.

Ann Patterson and Poppy Castles at the open day in Lisnavagh House.

William and Turtle Bunbury with their mother Lady Jessica Rathdonnell

Louise Caulfield-Dreier with her children Eivend, Killian and Stefan and her parents Anne and Joe Caulfield