HOUSE WITH A HISTORY SOLD

Leinster Leader 27 March 1971  

House with a history sold

Greisemount House, Ballitore, which stands on 3¼ acres, has been sold by Kildare County Council to Mrs. Sara von Stade, Piper’s Hill, Naas, for £7,265.

The house, which is on an eminence overlooking the River Griese, is a landmark. It was built about 1820 by a member of the Shackleton family who made Ballitore world renowned for the school they established in the village. In time the property passed to Major Hall, who with his wife, were leading figures on the hunting field and owners of fine bloodstock. After his death, Mrs. Hall, a member of a noted Co. Carlow family, and a joint master of the Kildare Hounds, continued to reside there until she returned to her native county. The next owner was Captain Mansfield, and it was from the Mansfield family Kildare County Council bought the house and the 3¼ acres in the early thirties for just under £2,000. The Council required the house as a residence for the local medical officer, and converted some coach houses into a dispensary. The last medical officer to reside there was Dr. Gardiner. For some years past the Council had the property leased.

A tunnel running under the road connected the premises with land on the opposite side. During the War of Irish Independence an unsuccessful attempt was made by the I.R.A. to blow up the tunnel to block the road to British forces operating in the area.