Roundwood House
- Klassifizierung
- Herrenhaus
- Land
- Irland
- Region
- County Laois
- Adresse
- R32 TK79, Mountrath
- Epoche / Stil
- Georgian
Described as having "a marvellous doll's house-like quality" by the Hon. Desmond Guinness, founder of the Irish Georgian Society, Roundwood nestles in the green embrace of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Laois. This detached five-bay three-storey house over part-basement with pedimented advanced entrance bay was built in 1731 for a well-to-do Quaker family of cloth makers called Sharp. Behind its front door lies a gorgeous double-height entrance hall with two cantilevered galleries. Roundwood not only retains much of its historic charm but also many of its original features, not least Black Kilkenny marble chimneypieces, carved timber architraves to window openings and sublime Rococo plasterwork. Despite its prosperous beginnings, by 1835, the house and demesne of 1,680 acres had been assigned to a Dublin attorney to cover the Sharp family's debts as their fortunes declined. One of the witnesses to the deed of transfer was a first cousin once-removed, William Hamilton of Peafield, also in Laois. Two years later, the same Hamilton was shown to be in possession of Roundwood. His descendants remained there until 1968 when the property was sold to the Land Commission. In the 1970s, Roundwood fell into disrepair but was rescued from demolition by the Irish Georgian Society which meticulously restored it over a decade. Thereafter, the house became a magnet for creative residents. It was subsequently purchased in 1983 and opened to guests for the next 25 years, becoming renowned for exceptional hospitality. Current proprietors continue that tradition today. Available as a film location, offering overnight accommodation with dinner, whole-house rentals, holiday cottages and receptions.
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