Townley Hall
Built in 1799, Townley Hall is a magnificent Georgian mansion and is regarded as a masterpiece in the classical style of Francis Johnston, the foremost Irish architect of his day. It sits in quiet seclusion of private grounds, approached by a long wooded avenue. Commissioned as a private home for the Townley Balfour family, it was designed to impress on the visitor not only the wealth and sophistication of a substantial landlord, but the craftsmanship available in the local area.
Today it is surrounded by 60 acres of rolling parkland overlooking the Boyne Valley, very close to the site of the famous battle. The location is strikingly beautiful and peaceful. Having undergone only minor alterations in over two centuries, this house is one of Ireland’s hidden architectural gems.
The House is an architectural jewel. It is renowned for its exquisite interior, wonderful proportions, the quality of the materials and craftsmanship used in its construction and, in particular, its magnificent staircase – of which Country Life magazine once said: "There is nothing lovlier in the Georgian architecture of these islands than the rotunda and staircase at Townley Hall."
