Built / Designed For: Blayney Balfour
House & Family History: Townley's staircase hall is very similar to James Paine's 1770s staircase hall at Wardour Castle. For much of the mid-20th century the house was owned by Trinity College, Dublin. It is today once again back in private ownership.
Comments: Mark Bence-Jones called Townley "Francis Johnston's Classical masterpiece...[with] a superb central rotunda, lit by glazed dome, with a wonderfully light and graceful staircase curving up inside it." "...of singular and impressive austerity..." - Christopher Hussey
Country Life: CIV, 178, 228, 1104 [Treasures], 1948.
Title: Guide to Irish Country Houses, A
Author: Bence-Jones, Mark
Year Published: 1988
Reference: pgs. 275-276
Publisher: London: Constable and Company
ISBN: 0094699909
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Unknown
Park Listed: Unknown
Past Seat / Home of: Blayney Balfour, 18th century; Townley-Balfour family here until 1954. David Crichton, 1954-56.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The house can be booked for weddings and events.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 0419-838-218
Fax: 0419-837-142
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.townleyhall.ie/
Historic Houses Member: No