dreamescape - Ballyfin

OVERVIEW

Originally built in the 1820s, the house reopened in 2011, after eight years of restoration. Today, it offers the very best of Irish hospitality in the most beautiful surroundings imaginable.

From the enormous Saloon at the heart of the house, to the eighty-foot Library which runs the length of its south façade, the State Rooms make a glorious backdrop to a stay in the house.

The Library is perfect for whiling away a few hours with plenty of quiet corners for conversation. The estate’s stone walls enclose 614 acres of parkland, a lake and ancient woods, delightful garden buildings, follies and grottoes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights include the walled garden with its formal borders and kitchen gardens, the abundant wildlife to be seen on early morning walks and the restored Edwardian rock garden.

Garden Walks

Exploring the Demesne is a delight – from the walled gardens; the fernery and the restored Edwardian rock garden; a stroll around the lake; discovering quiet bluebell glades and special areas of conservation; foraging for mushrooms and Autumn berries, or simply marveling at century-old trees and climbing the path to the tower, which is located at the highest point of the estate to enjoy stunning views.

Horse & Carriage

Step back in time and take a guided tour on a horse & carriage from the front
door. Explore the pathways of the Demesne with your guide highlighting it’s
fascinating history.

Ballyfin Picnic Experience

Enjoy a wonderful picnic basket to take with you choosing from magical locations including the grotto, temple, by the water cascade, top of the tower or by the lake.
Reserve the picnic house with stunning views, seclusion and privacy and enjoy a picnic lunch set up for you and ready on your arrival.

History Tour

Take a guided tour of the house and learn of the history of the families that lived at Ballyfin, the restoration period and enjoy hearing about the history of each room and the antiques and art.

Costume Department

Visit the unique specially designed costume room to try on and choose costumes for a special evening of banquets and entertainment. With a stunning collection of period costumes from the Lyric Opera Company in Chicago and trained dressers o help, you will definitely look and feel the part.

ACCOMMODATION

Classic Room

These include The Lady Sarah Pole room which has beautiful views over the Pleasure Ground and Cascade. The room retains its corner fireplace with an attractively carved rosette and the original grate. Over this is hung a touching late-Georgian portrait of a lady by the eighteenth-century Irish artist Thomas Hickey.

Deluxe Rooms

Deluxe rooms are sumptuously decorated with unique features. You might fine a room adorned with 17th Century tapestries, artwork and antiques or specially commissioned wall paintings. With views over the lake and lawns, your stay will be unforgettable.

Staterooms

The Westmeath, one of Ballyfin’s beautiful Staterooms evokes the character of the early 18th Century. It is exquisitely decorated in richly patterned wallpaper with a wonderfully carved French bed positioned prominently in the centre of room.

Suites

The Suites at Ballyfin, the suite enjoys a handsome sitting room, its curved windows looking out to beautiful views over the fountain and the Pleasure Grounds. The decorative theme of the suite is determined by a series of eighteenth-century Chinese wallpaper panels, formerly in the collection of the Prince of Hanover at Schloss Marienburg. Many of the furnishings are complementary in the style of Chinese Chippendale.

DINING

At Ballyfin the architectural splendour of the rooms and their historical resonances combine with the food to make for truly memorable dining experiences.

Enjoy the grandeur of the State Dining Room and the Van Der Hagen Room.Downstairs the Cellar Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere and informal setting and provides the opportunity to enjoy a more casual dinner experience.

Private dining can be arranged in the Porcelain Room lined with the famous ‘Flora Danica’ set of china or in the atmospheric Wine Cellar. At Ballyfin the architectural splendour of the rooms and their historical resonances combine with the food to make for truly memorable dining experiences.

ACTIVITIES

Enjoy an array of activities at Ballyfin. Open to residents only, it is very easy to get away from everything as you explore and in just a short distance from the house you can truly feel “lost in nature”.

Coarse Fishing
Enjoy a few hours of fishing on the lake which has a large stock of roach and pike.

Boating on the lake
Enjoy a leisurely boat trip on the 28 acre lake or relax and enjoy the scenery while the Butler takes you out!

Falconry
An exhilarating experience with amazing birds of prey. Enjoy private and personal Falconry demonstration and hands-on experience using trained Harris Hawks, Peregrines, Eagle Owls and other birds of prey.

Gaelic Games and tennis
The Ballyfin Butlers will be delighted to give an introduction to two Gaelic Games – Football and Hurling. They will teach you some of the basic skills and rules of these very exciting and uniquely Irish sports. Alternatively enjoy a game of tennis on the beautifully appointed courts.

Clay Pigeon Shooting
Perfect your aim, time your shots and let the competitive streak in you shine.

Air Rifle Target Shooting
Using the most advanced pre-charged air rifles on the 50m range, your instructor will guide you in the skill of precision shooting.

Archery
Despite its medieval origins, archery has now been developed into a high-tech and highly competitive sport. Using the very latest equipment guests are taught the skills required to strike gold on the competition shoot.

Horse Riding & Riding Lessons
With 614 acres to explore, horse riding around the Demesne is a wonderful experience. Experienced riders will guide you around the Demesne, trekking by the tower and lake, deep into the grounds. Horse riding lessons in the paddock can also be arranged.

Swimming Pool, Vitality Pool and Sauna, Gym and Spa

Swim laps, enjoying water exercises or simply relax, in the 14m heated indoor pool, overlooking the courtyard, invigorating vitality pool and sauna. Enjoy the fitness suite and professional Spa treatments.

LOCATION

HOLIDAY IDEAS / SAMPLE ITINERARIES

See below some itinerary ideas that can include Ballyfin.

Incredible Ireland

"Once in a lifetime, elegant beyond description"

Joanna Heathcote Educational Trip
"This gem feels like a different world, definitely for people who crave authentic Ireland."

Joanna Heathcote Educational Trip
"Perfect spot for golfers and the hotel is beautiful"

Joanna Heathcote Educational Trip

GET IN TOUCH

ACCOMMODATION COLLECTION

Ashford Castle

The magnificent five star Ashford Castle is set in 350 acres, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib. With 82 guest rooms, a wealth of activities and thoughtful touches, enjoy acclaimed Irish hospitality on a grand scale. The Castle dates back to 1228 when it was originally founded by the Anglo-Norman De Burgo family, later becoming the family home of the famous Guinness family whose name is now synonymous with the Emerald Isle.

Rooms : 82 Bedrooms. Type : Couples, Families, Outdoor Active, Golf

The Fife Arms

Sunday Times Hotel of the Year 2019, the Fife Arms is a Victorian Coaching Inn that has been imaginatively restored in a resolutely Victorian style with a unique charm and is located in the historic Scottish village of Braemar amidst the majestic landscape of the Cairngorms National Park. As a fascinating passion project from international art dealers Hauser & Wirth, there are over 12,000 pieces of artworks and antiques here, and interior designer Russell Sage, working in collaboration with local historians, ensured that every square centimetre of the hotel evokes the traditions and customs of the Scottish Highlands.

Rooms : 46 Bedrooms and Suites Type : Couples, Active Outdoors, Art, Royal

Glin Castle

Podcast. Holly chats to Catherine Fitzgerald about all the experiences to be had while staying at her family’s Private Castle and Estate in Ireland.

Sleeps: 22 Bedrooms: 15+ Ensuite Bathrooms: 15 Dining for up to 85 people

Type: Celebration, Family, Seclusion, Corporate

Features & Activities: Boating, fishing, tennis, golf, rural

Location: Co Limerick., Ireland. 55 minute drive from Shannon International Airport. 90 minutes from Cork Airport and 2 hours 30 from Dublin Airport

Those looking for: A castle experience, time to recharge or celebrate.

View entire accommodation collection

Ballyfin, Co Laois, Ireland

"Probably the best of the best in the UK and Ireland for organising amazing trips. They know their stuff, have fantastic relationships with suppliers and always go the extra mile."

Rob Arrow, Al Tayyar Group
"Lovely suite. Fabulous private tours. Everything has exceeded our expectations. "

William A Heim, Client
"I had the most wonderful time with you and learned so much...What you offer is rare and much needed in the truly exclusive travel world. "

Jean Newman-Glock, Signature Travel Network
"You were the heart and soul of the trip….I truly admired your sunny personality, sense of humor, organization and professionalism. You also demonstrated that a guide’s work is never done as you were constantly researching….. Did you ever rest??? "

Sharon Delano, Frosch
"We want to thank you and the team from Dream Escape. All six of us in our group had a wonderful time, and we all agreed we owed that in large measure to the work of Dream Escape. From the onset of working with you, you demonstrated a tremendous knowledge about all the activities we wished to pursue —from playing golf to dining at excellent restaurants to seeing historical sites and the Tattoo and Fringe Festival. And, then you executed "

Thomas Cohen, Client
"THANK YOU a zillion times over for choosing/assigning Rosie to be with this family. She MADE the trip for them – there’s no other way to put it! "

Jill Jergel, Frontiers International Travel
"Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

Michael Guadarrama & Trammi Nguyen, clients of Peter Carideo. CRC Travel
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Max Levy, Direct client
"Thank you Karen and all of the staff and guides affiliated with Dream Escape…..the Flemings are having an awesome tour of Scotland. You all have made me look like a star! "

Joni Gerace, The Travel Society, LLC
"Thanks for all your help and we can chalk this one up as a big success! Our anniversary celebration was all we could have hoped for "

Clients of Courtney Regan, Affiliate of Brownell Travel
"Rosie was MORE than outstanding – she went out of her way to help us in every regard...She was so knowledgeable – we all loved her"

Jill A. Jergel, Frontiers International Travel
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Cindy Evans, Travel Consultant
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Carole McFarland, Universal Travel
"Dream Escape is delivering in a superb manner. Jim Johnston is a great driver and one of the best guides we've had - I wish to very much thank the Dream Escape Team for fulfilling a Dream…"

Donald M. Davis, President, Luxury Travel, Inc.
"Thank you all so much it's great to have trusted friends on the ground to take care of our clients!"

Peter Carideo, CRC Travel
"The trip was great.... Dream Escape is the name of the game"

Ann Lipschitz, Worldview Travel
"Your level of service is just outstanding"

Debra Fini, VWTI
"Dream Escape don’t just organise trips – they create adventures"

Financial Times, How to Spend it
"It was, without doubt, one of the most spectacular weekends I have ever had"

Country Life
"David Tobin’s an ace at getting inside private castles and estates and he’s well connected.... "

Conde Nast Traveller Magazine
"The level of service they provide is outstanding. They truly care about every aspect of the trip to ensure you have a fantastic stay. Rosie is a hidden gem of a tour guide. Just fabulous."

Yvonne Malka, Signature Travel Network, April 2018

Ballyfin