Built / Designed For: Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 1st Earl of Donoughmore.

House & Family History: In June 1974 the 7th Earl and Lady Donoughmore were kidnapped from Knocklofty House by the IRA in an attempt to influence British policy in Northern Ireland. The couple was held captive for four days and released in Phoenix Park in Dublin. Certainly scarred by their kidnapping, Lord and Lady Donoughmore sold Knocklofty in 1983, after which it was converted into a country house hotel. Irishman Dennis English purchased Knocklofty in 1994 and continued to lease it for use as a hotel until the early 21st century. In 2013 Knocklofty House, together with 80 acres, was listed for sale for €3 million; the property didn’t sell and was relisted for the same amount in 2015. In May of 2017 the American investment firm Cerberus Capital Management took control of Knocklofty House.

House Listed: National

Park Listed: Unknown

Past Seat / Home of: Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 1st Earl of Donoughmore, circa 1790-1825; John Luke George Hely-Hutchinson, 5th Earl of Donoughmore, 19th century; John Michael Henry Hely-Hutchinson, 7th Earl of Donoughmore, 20th century; Hely-Hutchinson family here until 1983.

Current Ownership Type: Unknown

Primary Current Ownership Use: Unknown

House Open to Public: No

Historic Houses Member: No