HISTORY AT BALLYERISTON
Ballyeriston House sits at the centre of the townland of Ballyeriston. Lovingly restored to its former glory in 2010 by Mark & Mandy McNeill, records of its existence date back to at least the 1700's but settlers have likely lived on this land for thousands of years. Evidenced by the ancient lookout fort in the Gweebarra Bay, and its unique proximity to the Gweebarra River and the Atlantic.
In all it's history it has only ever been occupied by two families. The Porters and the McNeills.
The Porter House
The Porter family likely arrived as part of the Plantation of Ulster in the 1700's and owned Ballyeriston House until the 1960's.
Life & Times: The 1800's-1960's
During their time, the Porter Family helped in the local area, providing jobs and education.
To this day, the dining room in Ballyeriston House is still known as The School Room because it was used as the local school.
They enjoyed hunting, fishing, and an outdoor family life. Something everyone who visits Ballyeriston can immediately understand.
The 1960's-1990's
In the 1960's the last of the Porters moved overseas, and the house was bought by the McNeill family.
Austen McNeill and his wife Patricia, or 'Paddy' as she was known, used it as a holiday home with his sister Margaret and her husband Bill.
The house required a host of upgrades at the time, including indoor plumbing, running water, and electricity.
They also inherited a unique character in the form of Joe Billingsley. The groundsman for Ballyeriston, Joe became a one of the McNeill families dearest friends and was a true soul of the area.
Pictured left is Joe with one of a delegation of Korean businessmen on a trip around Ireland brought to Ballyeriston Tim McNeill.
Austen & 'Paddy' McNeill
Moving to Ballyeriston full-time in the late 1980's Austen & 'Paddy' McNeill were part of the thriving community. Austen founded the Oyster Farm in the Gweebarra Bay during this period and pioneered local infrastructure improvements still in place today.
THE HOUSE TODAY
Taken on by Mark and Mandy McNeill in the early 2000s, and fully restored to its former glory in 2010, they made it their own and perfectly preserved a heritage stretching back hundreds of years.
Ballyeriston is a place of happy memories and contemplative moments. A place for foodies, adventurers, weary travellers, and those just looking to find a space to lay their head and unwind from the world. A place where life moves at the perfect pace.