Ireland | Ballyfin: Nobility, Restoration to Glory, and Costume Parties

Today we travel to a very special corner of the world, called Ballyfin. Set amongst lush, green, rolling foothills, an hour outside of Dublin, Ballyfin drips with history, beauty, and charm. Over the last two hundred years this mansion has been a family home, hosted glamorous parties for nobility, and used as a boarding school before falling into disrepair. In the early 2000s the future of one of Ireland's finest houses was looking incredibly bleak. Enter, our guest today - Jim Reynolds, an archeologist and master gardener, turned hotelier. Given his unique skillset, Jim was asked to lead the painstaking 9-year renovation of the property and has been with Ballyfin every since. Today the estate boasts gorgeous gardens, stately guest rooms, lavish costume parties, and traditional activities like horseback riding, clay shooting, and falconry. Jim tells us all about the history, the charm of the Irish people, and what you might glean from a visit here. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/    Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn