Earlier Houses: There was an earlier Medieval house, Doneraile Castle, that was abandoned in the 17th century.
House & Family History: A severe fire of 1805 destroyed the majority of the Regency interiors of Doneraile. In 1956, after the death of the 7th Viscount Doneraile, the house and some surrounding land were sold to the Irish government. The house opened to the public in June of 2019 following a €1.6 million refurbishment by the Office of Public Works.
Collections: A pair of Irish George IV giltwood sofas, circa 1820-30, made for Hayes St. Leger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile and upholstered in the French fashion, sold for £58,850, against an estimate of £15,000-25,000 at a sale of some contents of Glin Castle, Christie's, May 7, 2009. A pair of bergeres and a matching sofa from the Doneraile suite was sold by David Style of Wateringbury Place, Kent, at Christie's on May 31, 1978 (lot 273).
Garden & Outbuildings: The 400-acre Doneraile Wildlife Park, which surrounds the house, is open to the public.
John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 194, 1855.
Title: Christie's Auction Catalog: Glin Castle: A Knight in Ireland, May 7, 2009
Author: NA
Year Published: 2009
Reference: pg. 29
Publisher: London: Christie's
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Unknown
Park Listed: Unknown
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Sir William St. Leger, until 1642. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Arthur St. Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile (first creation), until 1727; Arthur St. Leger, 2nd Viscount Doneraile, 1727-34; Arthur Mohun St. Leger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile, 1734-50; Hayes St. Leger, 4th Viscount Doneraile, 1750-67; St. Leger St. Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile (second creation), until 1787; Hayes St. Leger, 2nd Viscount Doneraile, 1787-1819; Hayes St. Leger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile, 1819-54; Hayes St. Leger, 4th Viscount Doneraile, 1854-87; Richard Arthur St. Leger, 5th Viscount Doneraile, 1887-91; Edward St. Leger, 6th Viscount Doneraile, 1891-1941; Hugh St. Leger, 7th Viscount Doneraile, 1941-56.
Current Ownership Type: Office of Public Works
Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 046-942-3174
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://doneraileestate.ie/
Historic Houses Member: No