Inside Mornington

Mornington House, as it stands today, was largely designed in 1896 by W. H. Byrne, a prolific church architect, known to have designed only one other private house. Patrick Henry and Elise O’Hara commissioned the new design in order to extend and remodel the existing fortified farmhouse, which was small by comparison to the grand houses of Ireland at the time but nevertheless large in comparison to the estate cottages.

It is most probable that Elise’s guardian, one Bishop Donnelly, retained Mr. Byrne as architect and the influence of his other work can be seen in the spacious entrance hall, stairs and landing. The use of French windows in the drawing room and dining room has lent these rooms wonderful natural light.

While the house has not changed structurally since Victorian times, the interior and furnishings reflect all the comforts of modern Irish country life – all the rooms are centrally heated and elegantly furnished with luxuriously comfortable beds and en-suite bathrooms.