Lyons Demesne, Country estate in County Kildare, Ireland
Lyons Demesne is a granite mansion set on 600 acres with five lodges, multiple gardens, and a spring-fed lake as the focal point. The estate features the main residence alongside service buildings and outhouses, all arranged within cultivated grounds that show planned landscaping from its original design.
The mansion was completed in 1797 by architect Oliver Grace, commissioned by Nicholas Lawless who had acquired the property from the Aylmer family. Its construction followed the style of substantial Irish country houses built during the late 1700s by families of considerable means.
The house blends English estate tradition with Irish landscape design, where the expansive grounds and central water features reflect the owner's vision of ordered beauty. The grouping of main building and outlying structures shows how landed families organized their working and living spaces during the late 1700s.
The site sits in countryside away from towns, so a car is needed to reach and explore the grounds comfortably. The main building and certain outdoor areas open to visitors, but it is wise to check ahead as not all structures are accessible at all times.
Three granite columns taken from Nero's Golden House in Rome were built into the entrance portico during the early 1800s, an unusual sight in an Irish country house. This importation reveals the owner's wealth and his taste for classical references from distant Italy.
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