Curraghmore House
Curraghmore House is the ancestral seat of the Marquis of Waterford and the de la Poer/Beresford family, who have held this estate since the 12th century, making it one of the oldest continuously family-occupied houses in Ireland. The house itself is an impressive Georgian mansion set within a vast estate of parkland, ancient woodland and gardens along the Clodagh and Suir rivers, and its most famous feature is arguably the extraordinary shell house in the grounds, decorated entirely with seashells by Catherine, Countess of Tyrone, in the 1750s — a genuine curiosity of 18th-century decorative craft. The estate's grounds, with their old-growth trees, waterfalls and a striking stag statue over the main gate, make for excellent walking, and the working farm and formal gardens give a sense of a still-functioning aristocratic estate rather than a museum piece. Access to the house interior is limited and generally by guided tour on set days, so it rewards visitors who plan ahead rather than turning up unannounced.
Curraghmore House FAQs
Yes, but generally only on specific days and often by pre-booked guided tour rather than casual walk-in visits — check current arrangements before planning a trip.
An 18th-century garden building entirely decorated inside with shells by Catherine, Countess of Tyrone, considered one of the finest surviving examples of shell-decoration craft in Ireland.
Yes, it remains the family seat of the Marquis of Waterford, one of the longest continuously held family estates in Ireland.
The gardens and grounds are generally accessible on a more regular basis than the house interior, but hours vary seasonally, so check ahead.
Yes, the grounds, waterfalls and woodland walks are pleasant for families, though the house tour is more geared to adults interested in history.
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