Baltyboys House, Georgian country house in Blessington, Ireland
Baltyboys House is a Georgian country house with a rectangular plan that occupies one hundred acres, featuring a two-storey structure with five bays and a central pedimented breakfront. The property retains its original timber sash windows and manicured grounds.
The original building was destroyed during the 1798 rebellion and then rebuilt between 1834 and 1837 under architect Frederick Darley from Dublin. This reconstruction reflected the recovery of rural estates in post-rebellion Ireland.
Elisabeth Smith documented life here during the Great Famine through her journals, offering a window into how people lived on rural estates in the 1800s.
The estate sits near Poulaphouca Reservoir in a quiet rural setting with easy walking paths across the grounds. Plan to spend time viewing both the house itself and the extensive surrounding gardens.
Dame Ninette de Valois, who founded the London Royal Ballet, was born here in 1898 and went on to shape global dance history. Her connection to this house links rural Ireland to the world of classical ballet.
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