Out of general interest I decided this morning that I would do some light research into Lucan Lodge, a Georgian House that is currently a nursing home in the centre of the Ardeevin Housing Estate, at the back of the Ball Alley Pub.
This was largely prompted by Helen Farrell’s recent appeal on SOL [Ed’s. note: to ask all SOL members and followers to get more involved, write blogs, suggest and organise events, share research, etc. Thank you to Barry for taking up the appeal so quickly in 2023!].
Last year I published my research on Beaumont Cottages, Lock Road, on the SOL Facebook Page. Lucan Lodge has never properly featured in the history books of Lucan. However, I have condense my research into short sections.
LUCAN LODGE advert appeared on the 21st of June 1787. ” To let, ready furnished from 15th July until 15th of May following the house called Lucan Lodge belonging to Rev Mr Little with Large Garden and 9 acres of meadow. This house is beautifully situated contiguous to Lucan Spa and is fit for the reception of a genteel family. Further particulars may be known at the House and from Rev Mr. O’Toole. “
ADVERT JULY 1898: “To be let furnished from 15th of October for hunting season the desirable residence containing 5 sitting and 5 bedrooms, 2 servant rooms, good offices, stabling, garden. Apply to Messrs Batterby and Co.“
Edward Pomeroy Colley was born in Lucan to parents Henry Colley JP and Elizabeth Wingfield. The roots of the illustrious Colley family can be traced back to Carbury Castle in the North West of Kildare. The Colley family are distantly related to Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington, the general who famously defeated Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo.
The Duke of Wellington went on to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Edward Colley was an uncle of writer Elizabeth Bowen. On the maternal side, he was the great grandson of the 4th Viscount of Powerscourt and distant relative of Sarah, Duchess of York (also known as Fergie), former sister-in-law of King Charles III of England. Edward Colley was tragically drowned when the Titanic ship sank off the coast of Newfoundland in April 1912.
In 1958, Lucan Lodge became the home of horse breeder and builder William (Bill) and Angel Kavanagh after they sold Leixlip Castle to the Rt. Hon Desmond Guinness. Angel Kavanagh, a member of a prominent landowning family who died in May 2003 left an estate valued at over €17.5 million euro. The site of the 85 year olds home Ballintrye Hall Ballinteer Avenue, Dublin, which has planning permission to build over 400 dwellings is expected to sell for over €35 million.
Lucan lodge went on the market in 1963, it was described as a Georgian House on 18 acres, 1 rood, 25 perches together with a large poultry houses ( 7000 sq ft.) And prefabricated cedar wood bungalow held on long lease subject to ground rent of £50 pa rateable valuation and the land £38 and a building £20. The house is in an excellent state of repair and a newly decorated is the two-storey, over basement and comprises of 4 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms, hall, 2 bathrooms, kitchen with Aga cooker, the semi basement contains 5 rooms centre heating by piled fired Potterton boiler recently installed, Telephone, Main electricity and water, gate lodge. Poultry House ( 7000 sq ft.) Insulated controlled environment by Vic Hallam standy-by generated plant. Cedar wood bungalow is used as office, all erected in 1960. The out offices comprise 7 loose box stables, loft barns etc all in good repair. The land is of good quality, well watered and fenced. There is a walled kitchen garden and Orchard.
As far as I am aware the last family to live at Lucan Lodge were the Joyce’s.
If I have overlooked something or made an error please feel free to comment. Thank you. Regards, Barry.
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