Killyon Manor

Emerging from a 6-year flurry of sweat, spanners and dreams, Ebay compulsive disorder, random U-turns, downward and wayward dogs, apple harvests, dragging furniture up and down an exhausting succession of staircases and saving bumble bees, Killyon Manor is now equipped and ready to throw open its old gates as a new kind of Big House for the way we live now.

A stunning mostly Georgian building, actually dating from 12th century, Killyon Manor is surrounded by sixty acres of wild meadows, woods, river and ruins. Not only one of the prettiest country estates in Ireland, it’s also one of the freshest -with masses of literal and creative space in what is still very much a home.

Inside, our pioneering new thing is Champing, short for country house camping - we have haphazard bedroom accommodation, sleeping 16 under the generous roof of a rickety but inspirational historic building - with library, dining hall, country kitchen (not to mention the sixty acre estate) and astounding 120-person ballroom. A campsite and vintage caravan increase the overnight capacity substantially, but with only 45 minutes drive to Dublin, it also works for day trips.

It’s not normal, but for us makes perfect sense, keeping a magnificent structure affordable, relaxing and nicely human.

There’s a number of ways for you to experience The Manor, from good value self-catering rentals, DIY events, permanent and semi-permanent lodgings, to volunteering in communal indoor and outdoor activities like building restoration and conserving bumble bees.

Finally, a statement of intent (or words of warning): this is not a stately hotel, or luxury wedding venue. If you’re looking for something like that, please check out the more conventional venues with function suites and sensible bedrooms. But if you like us, and want to know more, please scroll through our Facebook page to see what happens here, or go to www.killyon.com for more detail , or …

call me, Zoe, on +353 87 2533 166