Ashley Park House B&B

Specialties

Situated in middle Ireland, this private, 18^th-​century country house, is home to Weddings and B&B accommodation. Set on 76 acres of woodland and formal gardens, Ashley Park House is only 5.9 km from Nenagh Golf Club and 8.3 km from Nenagh train station.

The elegant rooms feature antique furnishings, period features and high ceilings which are perfect for romantic get awaits and relaxation. Bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms, 2 have separate sitting rooms and 1 has a 4-​poster bed.

A Full Irish breakfast is served in a polished dining room. There’s a refined lounge with a fireplace and a baby grand piano. Formal gardens feature gazebos and secluded sitting areas. Fishing, hiking, horse riding and massage services are available on request.

History

Established in 1700.

Ashley Park was known until the eighteenth century as Rathone, ‘earthen fort’, a name derived from several Neolithic ring forts found in the estate. The first known reference to the site occurs in 1640 when the lands of Rathone were recorded in the ownership of John Grace of Ballylensey. At this time it appears that there was at least one dwelling on site, on the island in Lough Ourna. Another record of 1640 notes a thatched cottage standing besides an already ruined castle, or tower house, part of which still survives. By 1660 the lands had passed to an Englishman, Peter Foxwell, who lost them through the Cromwellian Grantees to a Samuel Wade.

The original house of Ashley Park is believed to have been built in about 1700 by John Head, a native of Waterford. In 1692 Head augmented his fortune by marrying Samuel Wade’s daughter, Elizabeth and, partly with her money, proceeded to build a gentry house on land to the north of the lough.