Big restoration project sees return to grandeur for Clonabreany House

The recent opening of Clonabreany House near Crossakiel marked the unveiling of a major restoration project of the 18th century estate manager's house and adjoining courtyard. The period residence has been restored to its former grandeur by developer Niall Daly, who has created a wedding and events venue at the north Meath hideaway. It is 10 years since he bought the first part of the property and, over the years, has been adding various pieces to the jigsaw to create the stately setting at Clonabreany, which will see its first wedding take place there tomorrow (Thursday). Mullagh native Niall first visited the area as an eight-year-old and, many years later, having studied the conservation and restoration of historic buildings as part of his masters degree, returned to the area and fell in love with it a second time. "I bought the first piece in 1998, the old servant's hall," he said. "And, in 1999, acquired the first piece of the courtyard." The house and courtyard were reputedly designed by the celebrated architect Charles Robert Cockerell (1788-1863), though no conclusive evidence of this can be found. The house and courtyard buildings were commissioned and constructed in the late 1700s and early 1800s by the Wade family. They were heavily involved in the politics of Meath for nearly three centuries. The estate was split up after World War I when the Wade family left it, and the old courtyard homes were given to returning soldiers from the war. Afterwards, the Land Commission divided up the remainder of the property. Over the next few years, Niall Daly and his backers picked up other buildings on the estate, including the land master's house, which is the now main event venue. "I had worked on a few smaller projects before, but no undertaking as big as this," he explained. He brought conservation architects Paul Arnold and Associates on board. The original plan was to develop a hotel, but that changed as a proliferation of hotels around the country caused them to diversity, and Declan Grimes, of Kells Windows, who carried out the restoration of the period windows on the building, was one of those who suggested going down the road of an events venue. Clonbreany now features the restored courtyard, containing 10 self-contained houses which sleep up to 60 people, a cosy 'shebeen' bar, two restored Georgian houses, a luxurious private honeymoon suite and a grand marquee with bar, dancing and dining facilities catering for up to 200 guests. All the courtyard houses are named after local townlands, and among the guides at the recent opening was Pauline Fairchild, whose grandfather, Jimmy Murray, was one of the soldiers who lived there. The resident head chef at Clonabreany is one of Ireland's prominent chefs, Gerry Meade from Navan, who started his career in the local Beechmount Hotel in the 1980s, after which he went on to work in the famed Le Coq Hardi and White's on the Green restaurants in Dublin. Having then spent many years abroad cooking in hotels and restaurants in London, France and Australia, he returned to Ireland where, amongst various positions, he was head chef for the five-star Madison Avenue Events Services, catering for many society weddings, celebrities and royalty. He is also currently a consultant chef specialising in the establishment and development of restaurants and food businesses around Ireland, some of which are in Meath. He is an avid supporter of small food producers, both locally and nationally, and one of only four Euro-toque chefs operating in Meath. Events co-ordinator Lorna Murphy is from Mayo and grew up in a family steeped in the hotel hospitality business and her brothers and sisters now operate successful bars and restaurants. Having trained in the family operations, she went on to work extensively in London and Australia in the catering and events business and today with over 20 years' experience, she is a leading event consultant and one of Ireland's top event organisers, having managed everything from the successful Taste of Dublin to the Food and Wine magazine awards as well as being a wedding planner. Over 300 attended the recent official opening and toured the venue, visiting the charming Georgian courtyard houses, the traditional bar, the honeymoon suite, the Diamor bar and the grand marquee which looked spectacular after being dressed by Lorna Murphy and Sharon Griffin of Frog Prince Weddings. The opening of Clonabreany was celebrated with champagne and exquisite canapés all made with the very best of local produce and prepared by Gerry Meade. Suppliers include Ryan's Farm, Ballinlough; Co-operative Poultry Products, Cootehill, and Coastguard Seafoods, Annagassan, Co Louth. Two models walked through the venue showcasing a beautiful selection of wedding attire from The Bridal Loft in Cootehill, all to the sound of The Slovak Quartet. Guests celebrated late into the night in the cosy Sibín Bar and enjoyed traditional music by Táin Céili band and folk and blues guitar by the celebrated Andrew Sheridan. The launch was organised by Valerie and Gary Keating of GK Events and PR and hosted by owners Niall Daly and Peter Mahon, was attended by local residents, representatives from the tourist industry, Meath County Council, Kells and Oldcastle Chambers of Commerce and guests included local TD Johnny Brady and Cllr John Farrelly, chairperson of Meath Tourism. The first wedding at Clonabreany House will take place tomorrow, Thursday 6th August.