Nestled thirty miles south of Dublin, amidst the scenic Wicklow Mountains, the Luggala estate stands as the ancestral jewel of the iconic Guinness brewing dynasty. Beyond its breathtaking natural beauty, this historic property has witnessed a kaleidoscope of celebrated personalities from the realms of literature, Hollywood, and music, all connected through their acquaintance with the Guinness family.
Originally leased to Arthur Ernest Guinness, the second son of the 1st Earl of Iveagh, in 1912, Luggala became the family’s permanent residence in 1937. Dominick Browne, the fourth Baron of Oranmore and Browne, inherited it through marriage to Oonagh Guinness, one of the renowned Golden Guinness Girls. Oonagh, a socialite, transformed Luggala into a vibrant hub of Irish social life, hosting glamorous gatherings attended by a diverse array of guests, ranging from scholars and artists to Hollywood stars.
The Luggala estate’s main house, a neo-gothic former hunting lodge constructed in 1787 by Peter Le Touche, exudes the charm of a miniature castle. Adorned with white stucco walls, battlements, quatrefoil windows, and distinctive ogee mantelpieces, it epitomizes the Strawberry Hill Gothic style. The property spans 5,000 acres, featuring 18th-century landscaped gardens, two Irish oak woodlands, 200 acres of grassland, and the picturesque Lough Tay and Lough Dan lakes.
With a rich history as a haven for creativity, Luggala has hosted literary giants like Brendan Behan, Robert Lowell, Seamus Heaney, and Hollywood luminaries such as John Hurt, Dennis Hopper, and John Boorman. Music legends like Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, and Bono also found inspiration within its enchanting confines.
The main house boasts seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, three reception rooms, a library, storage rooms, and an indoor pool, totaling 19,099 square feet. Additional properties on the estate include a coach house apartment, a three-bedroom gate lodge, a four-bedroom house, a three-bedroom house, a two-bedroom house, and four two-bedroom cottages.
Luggala’s grounds, featured in films like “Braveheart” and “The Tudors” TV series, span 5,000 acres, showcasing waterfalls, exposed rocks, woodlands, and stocked lakes. The Dan and Tay lakes offer trout and arctic char fishing, while Lake Tay boasts a white sandy beach.
Bordered on three sides by the Wicklow Mountains National Park, the estate provides a stunning backdrop of peatland, heath-covered upland slopes, streams, and deep lakes. The nearby village of Roundwood, five miles away, offers essential amenities, while the coastal resort town of Bray is just 11 miles distant.
Managed by Ireland Sotheby’s International Realty, the Luggala estate, recently sold for €28 million, continues to be a testament to the enduring legacy and cultural significance of the Guinness family.
