| Description |
Ballynahown built in 1746 by Edmond Malone (lawyer and later MP for Granard) and his wife Ruth Malone nee Judge. It is a building of three storeys over a basement, having a three-bay single-storey wing, added c.1850 by the Ennis family. The National Built Heritage Service states that this grand house is unusual in that it is constructed of brick, a very rare building material in Westmeath at the time of construction. In 1837 Lewis wrote that Ballynahown was the ancient residence of the Malone family, built on the site of an old castle and now unoccupied, having passed into other hands. Andrew Ennis bought the house in 1828. He was a wealthy Catholic merchant and business man who bought up land in the Athlone area of County Westmeath. His son John Ennis became a Governor of the Bank of Ireland and was knighted in 1866. He occupied the house at the time of Griffith’s Valuation (publ. 1854) when it was valued at £15. Sir John was succeeded by his son Sir John James Ennis who died in 1884 and was succeeded by his sister Marie Sophie who was married to Daniel O’Donaghue of the Glens. The O’Donaghues continued to own Ballynahown until they sold it in 1968. It remains a well maintained residence. |
