Danesmoate House, Georgian castle in Rathfarnham, Ireland
Danesmoate House is a Georgian stone residence in Rathfarnham with a symmetrical facade and tall windows characteristic of its period. The building stands within landscaped grounds near the Little Dargle River, displaying the refined proportions and materials typical of 18th-century Irish country houses.
The Southwell family built the house in the mid-18th century as a family residence. Later in the 1700s, Irish politician William Southwell took residence there, connecting the property to political life of the period.
U2 recorded their album The Joshua Tree at Danesmoate House in 1986, marking a significant moment in Irish music production history.
The house sits behind Taylors Pub on Kellystown Road and is accessible via walking paths through the grounds. Visitors should allow time to explore the gardens and surrounding area, which offer different views depending on the season.
Within the estate grounds stands an ancient monument called the Brehon's Chair, made of three nine-foot-tall stone slabs arranged to form a square space. This mysterious structure reveals a much older history at the site, predating the house by centuries.
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