Ardnamona, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Ardnamona's gardens are amongst the finest in Ireland and were awarded National Heritage status in 1991. The grounds extend to approximately 45 acres and include substantial frontage on Lough Eske. The internationally renowned collection of rhododendrons were mostly planted in the 1880's from seeds brought to Ardnamona from the Imperial Gardens in Peking and the Palace Gardens in Katmandu. Most of the specimen trees were planted in the 1830's to form a long ride from the house down to the jetty on the lake shore. The walks and paths are laid out in specialist areas such as the Japanese Garden, Sunken Garden, Pinetum and Arboretum.

Adjacent to Ardnamona and formerly belonging to the estate, is one of the last primeval native Oak woods of Ireland, which in 1981 was listed in Ireland's National Inventory as a site of ecological and botanical importance.

These features provide the property with unrivalled privacy and seclusion. The Good Garden Guide describes Ardnamona as "wild gardening at its most exuberant and refined: a Himalayan mountain slope cloaked with a primeval rhododendron forest, 60 feet tall, with a carpet of leaves underfoot".



Ardnamona, Lough Eske, Donegal, Co. Donegal, Ireland


Ardnamona is a beautifully restored former dower house for Lough Eske Castle (now a ruin), standing on 88 acres in the south west of Co. Donegal. It is now famous for its National Heritage gardens which are laid out in a superb sheltered situation below the Blue Stack Mountains and overlooking Lough Eske. In the Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1835, Ardnamona is described as "one of the most picturesque domains in rural Ireland". The writer Violet Trench was captivated by her first view of the house from the lake: "romantic and picturesque with an appealing beauty which clings around the heart as if it belonged to a dream world".

	The house dates from the 1830's and is built of stone with a slate roof. It has been tastefully and sympathetically renovated to a high degree of comfort and has oil-fired central heating. It is approached by a long avenue of neary half a mile flanked by magnificent rhodondrons. The extensive accomodation includes a Victorian wrought-iron and slate porch, main hall, 2 reception rooms, a library, music gallery, an office and a playroom; 6 double bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms. The Courtyard, with a large central fountain, contains the Coach House, 2 Stables with a Workshop and a 3 bedroom Cottage. There are 3 further stone outhouses and a 4-bay stone hay shed.


Ardnamona's gardens are amongst the finest in Ireland and were awarded National Heritage status in 1991. The grounds extend to approximately 45 acres and include substantial frontage on Lough Eske. The internationally renowned collection of rhododendrons were mostly planted in the 1880's from seeds brought to Ardnamona from the Imperial Gardens in Peking and the Palace Gardens in Katmandu. Most of the specimen trees were planted in the 1830's to form a long ride from the house down to the jetty on the lake shore. The walks and paths are laid out in specialist areas such as the Japanese Garden, Sunken Garden, Pinetum and Arboretum. Adjacent to Ardnamona and formerly belonging to the estate, is one of the last primeval native Oak woods of Ireland, which in 1981 was listed in Ireland's National Inventory as a site of ecological and botanical importance. These features provide the property with unrivalled privacy and seclusion. The Good Garden Guide describes Ardnamona as "wild gardening at its most exuberant and refined: a Himalayan mountain slope cloaked with a primeval rhododendron forest, 60 feet tall, with a carpet of leaves underfoot".

		Guide price: 2,500,000 Euros

		For further information and to request a brochure, please telephone or email William Montgomery's office as follows: +44 (0)28 4278 8666 / 8668 william.montgomery@sothebys.com