The historic and literary associations of Lissadell and the wild dramatic natural beauty of its setting surrounded by mountains, sea and woodlands makes Lissadella must visit heritage attraction in the North West.
Follow in the footsteps of W.B. Yeats in wandering through this beautifully restored estate on the shores of the Atlantic. Childhood home of Constance and Eva Gore-Booth, built by Sir Robert Gore-Booth in 1830 and designed by Francis Goodwin the house is now fully restored and open daily for guided tours.
Lissadell secured its place in the turbulent revolutionary history of 20th century Ireland through Constance later Countess Markievicz who turned her back on a life of privilege to become a leading member of James Connolly’s Irish Citizen Army and a 1916 Rising Leader.
Along with her sister Eva who was an active suffragette they blocked an early election bid by Winston Churchill in Manchester, supported the local Co-operative movement and traced their social conscience back to witnessing and assisting poor relief to their tenants in times of food shortages.
Both sisters featured in a famous Yeats tribute,
"The light of evening, Lissadell, Great windows open to the south, Two girls in silk kimonos, both Beautiful, one a gazelle"
Today the estate has been near fully restored by the current owners Edward Walsh and Constance Cassidy with the large courtyard complex now serving as a multipurpose Visitor Centre which houses a new exhibition “The March of a Nation” featuring a series of expertly crafted life size 1916 Rising sets that lets the visitor follow in the rebels footsteps from the GPO to the stone breakers yard in Kilmainham.
Additional galleries feature exhibitions on Markievicz, Yeats and another famous visitor AE, George Russell.
The refurbished stable block and Riding Centre feature the newly designed Tearooms serving a high standard of cuisine in comfortable surroundings. Private function rooms and Wedding service including Civil Ceremonies are also now available.
The Victorian Walled Garden is still under restoration but a must see is the exquisite Alpine Garden perched over the Atlantic and visitors will enjoy the woodland trails and walks, always under the watchful eye of Benbulben.
Lissadell House is perfect for a family visit and adventure where children will learn about important events of the past, what it was like to be a servant downstairs in a big house and explore the grounds seeing wild deer and sometimes even a seas eagle.
