Hazelwood House, Sligo

Hazelwood House is a limestone country residence on the banks of Lough Gill, with a three-story main block and two-story wings connected by curved passages. The building shows classical proportions and now functions as a distillery, with historical architectural elements preserved during renovation.

The house was designed in 1731 by architect Richard Cassels for Lieutenant General Owen Wynne and was one of the first Palladian country houses in Ireland. During World War II, the Irish military used the building as barracks before it was later converted into a psychiatric facility.

The house sits in a landscape woven with Irish mythology, particularly stories about Queen Maeve and ancient warriors. The surrounding seven mountains shape how people today understand the place and its role in local tradition.

The house is accessible to visitors today through the distillery that operates from the property and offers views of its restored architecture. Its lakeside location makes the grounds pleasant to explore, especially if you want to take in the surrounding mountains and water views as part of your visit.

The Army cyclist squadron that was housed here during the war is a little-known chapter in the property's history. This unusual military use shows how the house was repurposed for completely different functions across the decades.

Location: Calry

GPS coordinates: 54.25630,-8.43400

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:01