"The Seat of Arthur Blennerhassett Esq MP Co.Kerry"
Ballyseedy, near Tralee, Co.Kerry, before reversal of the main entrance in the 1880sDetail from a watercolour of c1837-1841, artist unknown, private collection
image: courtesy of The Knight of Glin - from a photograph (of the watercolour) in the archives of Glin Castle
The adjoining townlands of Ballycarty and Ballyseedy were the focal point of the Blennerhassett estate in Co.Kerry and principal seat of the Blennerhassett family from 1590 to 1967. The present Ballyseedy Castle is a substantial country house situated on the south bank of the River Lee, within both Ballyseedy townland and Ballyseedy parish, close to the boundary between Ballyseedy and Ballycarty townlands. Built by the Blennerhassett family, perhaps by "The Great Colonel John" Blennerhassett (b.1691 d.1775) of "Old" Ballyseedy, the new house was first named "Elm Grove".
The precise date of building is uncertain. This may have been 1721, as suggested by a foundation stone set into the wall over primitive 17th century black oak fireplace surround in the present banqueting hall, but perhaps not... The Banqueting Hall is in the north wing, completed in 1821, therefore both fireplace surround and foundation stone were moved from elsewhere. This fireplace surround, with 17th century wooden fireplace surround of finer workmanship installed in the old library (now hotel bar) of the main house, are believed to have been moved with other furniture from "Old" Ballyseedy" as it fell into ruin. The foundation stone however may have been moved from another part of the newer house during the 1821 remodelling, or may also have been taken from "Old" Ballyseedy, in which case the date of building will be later, perhaps mid 18th century as some sources do suggest.
Elm Grove was enlarged c1780 by William Blennerhassett Sr. (b.1705 d.1785), younger brother of "The Great Colonel John" Blennerhassett, that work was completed c1788 by his son William Blennerhassett Jr. (b.c1735 d.1797).
William Junior's son Arthur (b.1779 d.1815) and his wife Dorcas Twiss (b.1775/7 d.1822) commenced addition of the long north wing, something of a "folly" with the stable yard surrounded by a great wall of false windows, with two carriage entrances and a medieval round tower at the north-west corner. The work of architect Sir William Morrison, this remodelling was completed in 1821, exactly 100 years after the house was first built (if we believe the older foundation stone), by his son Arthur Blennerhassett (b.1799 d.1843) then only 22 years of age. 1821 was also the year of this Arthur's marriage to Frances Grady (b.c1800 d.1834).
At about this time (1821) the name "Elm Grove" was superseded by "Ballyseedy", the traditional name being transferred from the older family home, a mile away at the western end of Ballyseedy townland near what had been the village of Ballyseedy, that old house having by then begun to fall into ruin. I have not seen the name Elm Grove (Elmgrove) in any document or newspaper dated later than 1819. "Old" Ballyseedy had been the seat of the family from the mid 17th century up to the time of "The Great Colonel John". The ruins may still be seen, a short distance inside the present western edge of Ballyseedy Wood, the wood having been cleared of undergrowth, paths laid and opened to the public as a woodland park c2006. NOTE: some sources will tell you Elm Grove was a different house, burned down at the end of the 18th century, but that is not so.
During the 1880s Arthur's grandson, Maj. Arthur Blennerhassett (b.1856 d.1939), commissioned a "mock castle" refacing of the house, as was popular during the late Victorian period, these changes causing what had previously been the front elevation and west facing main entrance to become the rear of the house. A square tower (with unusual and seemingly meaningless coat of arms) was added on the east side of the long north wing, now the new "front" of the house. This work, executed by Kerry architect, historian and Blennerhassett descendant James Franklin Fuller, caused the house to lose its Georgian elegance and simplicity but resulted in the more impressive building we see today. Following these changes the house began to be referred to as "Ballyseedy Castle" and is named as such on the family headed writing paper of the time.
The watercolour illustrated here shows the house between the alterations of 1821 and those of the 1880s.
The last of the family to reside at Ballyseedy Castle was Hilda Blennerhassett (b.1884 d.1965). Following her death the house, and what remained of the estate, was in 1967 sold out of the family, to become "Ballyseede Castle" Hotel. An auction of house contents, "objets d'art, furniture, antique silver, china, etc", was held at the house in June 1967. The Sale Catalogue includes a number of pieces of Elizabethan and Jacobean oak furniture which will, in all probability, have come from "old" Ballyseedy. Where these are now, I wonder?
