Mountshannon House

Written by Ben Kesp 

Mountshannon House, 1750, Limerick

In its day, Mountshannon House laid claim to being one of Ireland’s most beautiful mansions. Built on a 900 acre estate in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, it earned its place in Irish history due to its association with the Fitzgibbon family especially the first Lord Clare or Black Jack Fitzgibbon who became owners of the house in 1765. The house was first occupied in 1750. 

The Fitzgibbon family are more associated with the house having a long history at Mountshannon. John Fitzgibbon was the first of the Fitzgibbon family and Mountshannon later passed to his son Black Jack Fitzgibbon who was educated at Trinity College Dublin and in 1780 became Attorney General. He was appointed as Lord High Chancellor of Ireland in 1789 and knighted in 1795 becoming the first Earl of Clare. He became unpopular for opposing the Catholic Emancipation and 1798 rebellion. Following a fall from his horse in 1801 Lord Clare died and Mountshannon passed to his son John Fitzgibbon who became the 2nd Earl of Clare. 

The 2nd Earl built a school house and spent many years overseas becoming Governor of Bombay. He was known for his charitable works at home and following his death, his younger brother Richard became the 3rd Earl of Clare. Things were to change at Mountshannon when Lady Louisa Fitzgibbon took up ownership. She was the sister of the Viscount and daughter of the 3rd Earl. Extravagant in nature she soon had spent the family fortune giving lavish banquets and balls. She became engaged with a Sicilian nobleman in the hope he would rescue her from her debts but unknown to her he was marrying her for the same reasons. He soon discovered his new wife to be was also penniless however he still married her and died shortly after from ill health. Following this Lady Louisa found herself abandoned by her wealthy friends and the lavish lifestyle she once knew was all gone. Forced to sell the mansion, Mountshannon was lost to the Fitzgibbon family. 

The last owner of Mountshannon was a man from Cork named Dermot O’Hannigan. The house was set ablaze in 1921 during the War of Independence. The magnificent mansion of Mountshannon was burnt to the ground leaving its shell as a reminder of the grandeur it once stood for. 

Mountshannon House graced a 900 acre estate with over half of the estate grounds covered in trees acting as a boundary keeping the house hidden from view. The house was built in neo-Palladian style with seven bay entrance portico on four large iconic columns. Its entrance hall was so wide a carriage and four horses could have driven through it. The house is stated to have contained 365 windows. Its gardens and rolling parklands were designed by John Sutherland who was responsible for designing country gardens in Britain and Ireland. Over 100 guests would often be in residence in the house during the summer months enjoying the splendid surroundings and having breakfast on the lawns. The house employed many gardeners and workers making Mountshannon a hub of activity and life in the region. 

Mountshannon House defying nature

The ruins of the house still stand today, slowly being reclaimed by the power of nature and its only existence fading gradually into the pages of history.