HISTORY
Ballyseede Castle was the garrison for the Earl's of Desmond; the Fitzgerald's, who refused to swear allegiance to the crown resulting in the Desmond Wars which took place over 300 years. The wars finally ceased in 1584 when Gerald; 16th Earl of Desmond, was beheaded in the estate at Ballyseede and his head exhibited in a cage on London Bridge.
The Castle was confiscated and handed over to Robert Blennerhassett for the nominal rent of a red rose which had to be presented each year on Midsummer's Day. The family remained at the castle until 1966 after which time it was transformed into a hotel.
The adjoining townlands of Ballycarty and Ballyseedy were the focal point of the Blennerhassett estate in Co.Kerry and the principal seat of the Blennerhassett family from 1590 to 1967. Ballycarty and Balllyseedy each contained small but ancient Geraldine forts or castles that belonging to the family of FitzGerald, Earl of Desmond, before the FitsGeralds were dispossessed for rebelling against Elizabeth I.
Ballyseedy and Ballycarty were among lands granted to the planter Sir Edward Denny by Queen Elizabeth, as part of the creation of the Plantation of Munster. They were subsequently a part of lands granted by Sir Edward Denny to Thomas Blennerhassett of Cumberland, England in 1590.
The Blennerhassett family settled at Ballycarty during the early 17th century and later occupied Ballyseedy also. In 1721 they built the first "Ballyseedy House", among ruins of the geraldine Ballyseedy Castle at the west end of Ballytseedy Wood. This was occupied up to his death in 1775 by "The Great Colonel John" Blennerhassett (1691-1775).
The present "Ballyseedy House" (since c1969 known as "Ballyseede Castle Hotel") was built c1780 as a new house named "Elm Grove" by the Colonel's younger brother William Blennerhassett Sr (1705-1785). The work was completed c1788 by his son William Blennerhassett Jr. (c1735-1797), a substantial late 18th century 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.
The house was rebuilt and enlarged twice, firstly in 1821, the name "Elm Grove" being discarded at this date, the name reverting to "Ballyseedy" because the original old "Ballyseedy" at the west end of Ballyseedy Wood had by then fallen into disrepair and disuse. During this first remodelling (completed 1821) the north wing was added. In the north wing is a "Banqueting Hall" which features a foundation stone dated 1721, set into the wall over primitive 17th century black oak fireplace surround. The fireplace surround in the banqueting hall, also another 17th century wooden fireplace surround of finer workmanship that was installed in what was the library (now the hotel bar) of the main house, are believed to have been moved with other free-standing oak furniture from "Old" Ballyseedy" as it fell into ruin.
It was William Blennerhassett Jr's son Arthur (1779-1815) and his wife Dorcas Twiss (1775/7-1822) who 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 round tower of medieval appearance at the north-west corner. The work of architect Sir William Morrison, this remodelling was completed in 1821, exactly 100 years after the older "Ballyseedy House" house had been built, 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).
As mentioned above, at the 1821 remodeling the house name "Elm Grove" was changed to "Ballyseedy", the traditional name being transferred from the older family home (a mile away, at the western end of Ballyseedy townland and the western end of Ballyseedy wood, close to what had formerly been the village of Ballyseedy). I have not seen the name Elm Grove (a.k.a. Elmgrove) in any document or newspaper dated later than 1819. "Old" Ballyseedy was one of the seats of the family from the mid 17th century up to the time of "The Great Colonel John". The ruins of two and perhaps three generations of "Ballyseedy" 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. Necessary, no doubt, for public access but was far more atmospheric in 2004 before this clearance work was done. 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 as it was 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 Ballyseedy Castle Contents Auction Catalogue of 1967 includes a number of pieces of Elizabethan and Jacobean oak furniture which will, in all probability, have come from "old" Ballyseedy.
ARCHITECTURAL
Ballyseede Castle is a large three-story block over a basement, with two curved bows on the entrance front and another bow at the south side and a battlemented parapet. Inside the impressive lobby, Doric columns lead to an elegant wooden bifurcating staircase of fine oak joinery, which is almost unique in Ireland.
In the Library Bar, there is a great carved oak chimney-piece over-mantle dated 1627. There is a splendid banqueting hall where feastings and entertainment were carried out in a grand manner.
CURRENT SITUATION
Today's castle has been transformed into a 4 star hotel offering 23 bedrooms and suites in the transformed stable block and the main castle. Rooms in the main castle have high ceilings and four poster beds and the hotel also offers a number of rooms especially for families.
The hotel offers two dining experiences, one in the Library Bar where guest's can sit around the open fire, or in the more formal dining room which has gained a reputation for fine dining with its five course meals. Where ever guests choose to eat all food is sourced locally and seasonal.
The hotel also has its own team of wedding coordinators who tailor make wedding packages to individual requirements. They offer a range of suites which hold up to a maximum of 220 guests with free overnight accommodation for the bride and groom; exclusive use of the castle can even be arranged.
