19/07/05 K. Hodges, Essex, UK "Great location, complemented by superb food & service.  We'll be back"

A warm reception awaits you here at Dunbrody.  This oasis of relaxed elegance offers our guests all and more than you will expect to find at a top historic hotel – fantastic food with a range of dining options from various menus twinned with friendly but professional service.  Luxurious bedrooms and grand public rooms combine to offer to make for charming hotel with a character and ambience all of its own.

History of Dunbrody:

Home to 7 generations of the Chichester Family and for so long a private and secluded residence people now travel from around the world to enjoy the high standards of the hotel and sooth their souls in tranquillity of this lovely place and its surrounding gardens and parkland.  It is thought that the name Dunbrody came from the ancient Cistercian monastery located 3 miles away.   

Dunbrody Abbey was founded in 1170 on the instructions of Strongbow, by Herve de Montmorency (his uncle), after the Norman invasion of Ireland. It was completed circa 1220 but additions continued for some time. Herve de Montmorency made a grant of the lands to the monks of Bildewas in Shropshire (England), on condition that they should build the Abbey, for the monks of the Cistercian, or White Order (they wore white robes), and upon condition that there should be a Sanctuary in the Abbey for all malefactors. Dedicated to "St. Mary the ever Blessed Virgin & St. Benedict" it has sometimes been called the Abbey of St. Mary de Port, for the refuge it contained by the express condition of its founder.

Lord Spencer Chichester who died in 1819 was the father of the first Lord Templemore and it was he who created this architecturally pleasing mansion originally known as Dunbrody Park.  Located in a wooded demesne near the fishing villages of Arthurstown and Duncannon, Dunbrody is also within easy driving distances of the Viking towns of Wexford and Waterford.

Lord Spencer Chichester and his son, Arthur Chichester was the first of the Chichester Family to live at Dunbrody.  Arthur was a member of parliament for Co. Wexford and was raised to the peerage as Baron Templemore of Co. Derry on the 10th September 1831.  He died on the 26th September 1837.  It is after him where the name of the village of Arthurstown comes from.

In 1878, Lord Henry Chichester, 2nd Baron Templemore lived at Dunbrody Park and owned a grand total of 24 099 acres of land, 11 327 of it in Co. Wexford. 

A warm family association with Dunbrody Park ended after 7 generations and the last of the Chichester Family to live there was the Marquis of Donegall, Dermot Chichester who was born in 1916 and succeeded his father as Lord Templemore in 1953.  He died in April 2007.  It was he who sold Dunbrody Park to Kevin and Catherine Dundon in October 1996.

Dunbrody opened its doors to the public in May 1997 and became quickly established as one of Ireland’s leading gourmet retreats.  Catherine & Kevin modified the original name to Dunbrody Country House Hotel and also kept part of the Chichester Family crest as the logo for the hotel.  The image of the heron comes from the crest you will see above the front door and also in the fountain and on the gates of the sunken garden. 

Located a mere two hours from Dublin and Cork International Airports and only 15 minutes from Waterford City, Dunbrody is easily accessible from both North and West.