Looking to add Lissadell House near Sligo and Bantry House in County Cork to itinerary for next June...would like to hear from anyone who has visited either or both.
Last trip we toured Muckross House and enjoyed...are these similar?
I've never been to Muckross or Bantry Houses. Lissadell House is very interesting for its historical associations. It was the home of Constance Gore-Booth Marcievicz, a friend of Yeats and an activist in the Irish independence movement. When I visited, the docent was a very eccentric, interesting guy who knew alot about the history. The interior itself is somewhat shabby, but filled with great antiques.
Bantry House is very different from Muckross in that the owners still live there and they also do B&B. So it is a lived in house that is fulled with antiques and eccentricities. The steps in the garden provide wonderful views of the house and Banrty Bay.
Lisadell is no longer owned by the original Gore-Booth family but was bought a couple of years ago by a consortium. There is talk of refirbshing it and if that is the case it would have to be closed down to do that. You should confirm in advance that it will be open for your trip. It is shabby and run down and could use a sprucing up.