Take a tour of Viewmount Manors exceptional house & gardens
Built in 1620, this magnificent manor retains to this day its stately beauty. This historic identity is present throughout the house, in the character of the library and the breakfast room, and particularly in the guest sitting room.
The house also has a contemporary identity as place of modern luxury. The bedrooms are well-appointed, beautiful spaces, with carefully chosen furniture and furnishings.
The library is beautiful and comfortable, with well-chosen furniture and an open fire. Feel free to browse the selection of books, magazines and newspapers provided, and relax in the ideal place to curl up with a good read.
Some say Viewmount House is at its best at breakfast time and it’s easy to see why. Sitting by the fire in the cosy Georgian dining room, with freshly-made coffee and delicious homemade bread – there really is no finer way to start your morning.
Guests can choose from a selection of fresh juices, compotes, yoghurts, fresh fruit salad and homemade muesli and breads. Hot breakfast dishes are also available. Please see the “Dining” section for a sample menu.
Breakfast is served between 7.30am until 9.30am on weekdays, or 9.00am until 10.30am on the weekend, or is available on request.
Originally, the guest sitting room was a kitchen and this history is present in details such as the old service bells. Once, there would have been three chimney flues, used for cooking and heating water. Now, one flue remains as a fireplace and the other two, on either side, are now the alcoves.
When you pass the original gates, there is a tangible feel of the past. You will discover Viewmount House in its wonderful setting, in amongst sweeping lawns and ancient lime trees.
Viewmount House was built in 1620 by Lord Francis Aungier, Baron of Longford. Aungier served as a commissioner of the plantations of Munster in 1616, and Longford in 1620. It is likely that he built Viewmount House prior to Longford Castle, to administer the Longford estate. He purchased the lands of the White Friars Monastery in Dublin where he lived.
Viewmount House was converted to Georgian style in the mid-1700s by Thomas Pakenham. Packenham inherited the property when he married Elizabeth Cuffe, a grandniece of Lord Aungier. The Pakenhams established a military site in Longford Castle and administered the Longford estate through agents in Viewmount House.
During the 1800s, it was used as a Church of Ireland school. Around 1890, it became a residence for Harry McCann, the famous gardener, and, later, in the early 1900s, the Chief Justice, Jack O’Farrell.
Beryl and James Kearney purchased Viewmount House in 1989 from the Johnston family who had farmed 60/70 acres for the previous 60 years.
Viewmount House is complemented by four acres of spectacular, well-designed gardens, just waiting to be explored. Whether you want to go for a stroll, or just sit back and relax, you will find the gardens to be peaceful and tranquil.
From lawn to pond, from orchard to herb garden, the grounds boast a wide variety of spaces, each with its own distinctive feel. A particular highlight is the Japanese garden. An area ideal for quiet reflection, it is not to be missed.