Client Ballyfin Demesne Limited
Project Restoration and Conversion
Location Ballyfin, Co. Laois, Ireland
Services Full Architectural Services
This long-term project will bring about the sensitive
transformation of a magnificent Irish country house of the 1820s
into a 50-room hotel of a high international standard. The
neo-classical house, with its imposing Ionic portico, has most
recently been in institutional use as a school, and has gradually
fallen into disrepair.
Phase 1 The practice was commissioned to
prepare a condition survey of the house and a conservation plan for
the entire estate.
Phase 2 A strategic plan was prepared for the
development of the estate which includes one of the best surviving
examples of 18th century parkland in Ireland. The plan looked at
access, views, roads, gates and uses for all the parkland and farm
buildings.
Phase 3 The restoration of the exterior of the
main house involved cleaning and restoring the fine stonework,
renewing roof coverings and the rainwater disposal system. The
external joinery was also repaired and redecorated.
Ongoing work The interior of the house is being adapted to hotel use, and the smaller historic buildings in the parkland which are at risk, are being conserved. These include follies, grottos, garden buildings and gate lodges.
