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Georgian Stately Home on Private Lake, idyllic setting, close to Galway City

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Georgian Stately Home on Private Lake, idyllic setting, close to Galway City

Interior
Exterior
Interior
Smart TV, fireplace, video games, DVD player
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Reviews

9.4 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

9 bedrooms10 bathroomsSleeps 201394 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Galway, County Galway
  • Ashford Castle
    27 min drive
  • Lucky Kebab House
    6 min drive
  • Galway Station
    32 min drive
  • Galway (GWY)
    31 min drive

Room options

About the area

Headford

Located in Headford, this vacation home is on a lake, within a 10-minute drive of Lough Lee and Hackett Castle. .This family-friendly vacation home is 9.1 mi (14.6 km) from Shanbally Marina and 9.9 mi (16 km) from Turloughaclara.
View more Holiday homes in HeadfordOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Ashford Castle - 27 min drive
  • University of Galway - 31 min drive
  • Eyre Square - 31 min drive
  • Quay Street - 32 min drive
  • University Hospital Galway - 33 min drive

Getting around

  • Galway Station - 32 min drive
  • Knock (NOC-Ireland West) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Supermac's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Campbells Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Angler's Rest - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Homeplace - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Murphy's Bar - ‬18 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Georgian Stately Home on Private Lake, idyllic setting, close to Galway City

Enjoy 18th century Irish country living in an idyllic location overlooking private Lough Cime. Lisdonagh house is beautifully situated 15 minutes from Galway City and offers guests a timeless escape on the Wild Atlantic Way. Lisdonagh House is ideal for extended families, groups of friends, special occasions, special interest groups, retreats or indeed any circumstances to bring people together in a beautiful setting. Lisdonagh House can only be hired exclusively with any level of service; this may include private dining by award winning chef using the best of local ingredients.
Accommodating 18 guests over nine ensuite bedrooms, Lisdonagh is the perfect location to enjoy the gracious living of a bygone era in a stunning country setting

Lisdonagh House is a gorgeous early Georgian heritage home on an elevated site with commanding views over Lough Cime. Sheltered by native woodland, this exceptional stately home offers guests a unique experience of Irish country estate living.

Lovingly restored by the Cooke family, Lisdonagh House is classical in layout with an impressive drawing room, elegant dining room and a fabulous traditional country house kitchen. There are 9 bedrooms, each named after prominent Irish artists, all with private bathroom and furnished in period style. The entrance hall is stunning with late eighteenth century murals, which are the last remaining example of the artist James Ryan’s work and his classical depiction of the Four Virtues.

Lisdonagh House is ideally situated on 200 acres of private woodland estate ideal for relaxing walks and other country pursuits. Boating, fishing, kayaks and horse riding all available on the estate by prior arrangement.

The region is rich in heritage and folklore with the beautifully maintained Knockma Hill trail walk within close proximity. Conveniently located for easy day trips to Ashford Castle in nearby Cong, the Cliffs of Moher, Kinvara, Achill Island, Enniscrone or Lough na Fouey.

Nearby Galway City hosts theatre groups and has an array of music venues and history tails to participate in. If your interest is music, theatre, history or shopping Galway you will not disappoint.

For larger groups there are two courtyard carriage houses which allows for additional eight guests.


Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace and a Smart TV. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment.
Enjoy recreation amenities such as a fitness center or take in the view from a garden. Additional features at this vacation home include babysitting, an arcade/game room, and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Finola Cooke

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 9 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 10 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Hairdryer

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Games room
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Work spaces

  • Office

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Local meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • In the mountains
  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Fitness centre
  • Cycling on site
  • Kayaking on site
  • Horse riding nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 15000 sq ft (1394 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Georgian Castle Overlooking Private Lake

Georgian Stately Home on Private Lake, idyllic setting, close to Galway City Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Alan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, historic property in the Irish countryside
Our large group of family and friends stayed here for a week and enjoyed the beautiful Drawing Room for morning coffee, cocktail hour and nightcaps (made extra cozy by the fireplace). During the day we enjoyed the nearby lanes and paths that wander through the green and tranquil countryside. There are a lot of attractive and large rooms that are perfect for a large group, but bathrooms (and hot water availability) need updating (some toilet seats were falling off). That said, we'd go back. The only other downside is that it's only convenient to Cong and Ashford Castle. So plan to drive a lot if you'd like to visit other areas/sites. The remoteness was both a plus and minus. The caterer made what we all agreed was the best fish and chips we'd ever had, so plan for at least one meal by them. And you can avoid a drive back to the house after dinner!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Kevin M.

Nice, but not the pics
Overall, we had an enjoyable stay at Lisdonaugh. The house fit our large group well and generally was comfortable. The country setting was lovely as were the owner/hosts. However, the pics online do not accurately reflect the current condition of the house. Several baths had visible mold, forcing us to abandon one bedroom altogether. (I did inform the owners of the mold issue after our stay and hopefully they have addressed it.) We couldn't find any sharp kitchen knives upon our arrival and had to buy our own. The main refrigerator was missing a lower shelf, forcing us to pile food at the bottom. Living room furnishings pictured online have been changed out over the years with mismatched sofas. Lighting in public rooms, especially in the kitchen, was too dim for comfortable reading or food prep. Linens in the primary bedroom were worn and needed replacing. Many of the toilet seats were broken and shifted. Based on the high-end cost and online photos, I expected Lisdonaugh to be in perfect condition and a 5-star experience. Regrettably, I can only give it three.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gail L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magic in Paradise
I was initially rather intimidated by the antique perfection as shown on the website photos and wondered if my rambunctious family would leave it intact but very pleasantly surprised to find the house well worn and quirky . It reminded me of staying in a friends home - there was nothing to remind us that it was a rental -family possessions and photos - books and objects all trustingly left around which gave the house a warm and very haopy feel. Very comfortable beds with good linens and pillows and comforters and those extra thoughtful additions like bed warmers and luggage stands - enough hangers and plush towels. Beautiful lined chintz curtains and fitted carpets all added to the warmth & luxury of the house. Very peaceful with lovely view of the lake and spacious grounds to walk - boats and kayaks available and you might get lucky and be able to ride their horses. Our hosts were discreetly close without intruding unless called upon. Housekeeping was frequently offered but only when we required it or a change of linens. they gladly left supper cooked for us the first night as requested and sweetly drove me to the nearest quick store for initial supplies at 8pm. Just an altogether perfect place to stay and entertain our friends We will certainly go back one day. I highly recommend this house for a very large group - spacious kitchen two large living rooms and a library and huge dining room with two big tables equipped for large groups never made it feel overcrowde
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely Family Getaway
Lisdonagh House is a beautiful property, rich in character. The estate sits in a gorgeous setting overlooking a lake and horse filled pastures. It was a nice option for family getaway. Our hosts were welcoming and helpful in making our stay so nice. Highly recommend using a private chef for a special meal or two. Lots of memories made here!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristine D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property
The property was beautiful! Such a serene setting. The rooms were comfortable. Obviously, it is an old house so isn’t for you if you are looking for a modern property. The bathrooms were nicely updated and everyone had their own ensuite.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Casey K., Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness
Country estate
Finola is a lovely host and the house was perfect for our thanksgiving abroad. Full of charm and nestled in a breathtaking country setting!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

George R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful period house and home
House was beautifully decorated with classic period furniture and drapes. Perfect location to celebrate our families wedding
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kari M.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was a delightful stay!
We recommend getting the personal chef at least one night
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Neil E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing retreat with friends
Perfect location - wonderful views and totally peaceful - for a retreat with a group of friends. The house is very comfortable and has all you need for a great stay and is the perfect base to go exploring Galway and Connemara. Finola is lovely and was very helpful and accommodating throughout - even when we had to cancel once because of COVID!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

krista c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Family Gathering
Very unique property. Historically relevant. Grand setting. Beautiful views. Great place for a large, multigenerational group. But there are a lot of stairs, would not recommend for elderly. Finola catered a lovely event for us. Highly recommend utilizing her and her staff for events. She was flexible with us even after a issue with a wire transfer...I guess she knew we were good for it. Thanks for helping us put together a once in a life time trip with 4 generations of my family and our family in Ireland!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Molly C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Enchanting manor
We loved our stay at Lisdonagh House. The manor is exquisite and full of history. Plenty of room for our party of 11. The Cookes are fine hosts and wonderful people. We utterly recommend Lisdonagh for memorable reunions and special ways to mark Christmas!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Katie C., Minneapolis

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic spot for our family reunion
27 of us (ages almost 2 to 70 something) stayed at this wonderful property for a family reunion. There were 18 of us in the castle house. When our numbers increased, we were able to rent two of the other villas on the property. Finola and her staff were gracious and very accomodating with our large group. Finola also arranged to have a chef cook supper for two of the nights during our stay. The service and the meals were outstanding. Everyone (especially the kids) enjoyed walking around the property to see the fields, the gardens, the sheep, donkeys and horses. The updated house and villas were charming and comfortable. We were looking for an authentic place for our reunion so knew there would be some quirks with staying in a 300 year old property. The location was fantastic. It was convenient for trips into Galway, up to Cong and Ashford Castle and over to Connemara.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Helen R., Punta Gorda

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house with lovely grounds for a large group
The house was great and the information provided on the property was a great added touch. The grounds with all the horses, sheep, and donkey were quite impressive. Even a lake with a boat you can take out.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

James M.

A wonderful venue for a large family gathering
Plenty of room for multiple couples in an extended family with spacious living areas and a very large, well equip working kitchen, with an eating area. A superb host who was wonderfully accommodating and helpful with all family needs (including late night medical advice and facilitation for a 90 year old great-grandmother in need of care.).
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

Susan R., Vero Beach, Florida, USA

Beautiful Georgian Manor House on wonderful propery
We were treated to a wonderful stay at the Georgian manor house outside of Galway for our family of 16 for a birthday reunion. The house had ample bedrooms and bathrooms for all of us. The owners were gracious with their time and effort to make us feel comfortable in their home. The only thing missing was an outside deck or porch since we were there during the heat wave. Downstairs bedrooms were cool and comfortable. It was easy to get to Galway or some fun pubs and street music. We had a fabulous catered dinner at the home and other meals were inside or we had a picnic. Connemara area was spectacular...not to be missed. The owners had wonderful suggestions for touring. The house is very much in keeping with the 1800's, but with all new bathrooms and kitchen. We had a fabulous time.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Emma B.

Cozy weekend with friends
Our group of 19 stayed in Finola's house plus one of the adjacent courtyard villas for the weekend to celebrate everybody turning 40. We had a fantastic weekend and this is the perfect venue for a reunion. Finola organized catering for us one of the nights and the food was impeccable. It was such a treat to be cooked for and then retire to the drawing room for the evening where the fire kept us cozy all evening. A really memorable weekend and location. We'll definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017