Built in 1761 Johnstown House was the home of Colonel Francis Forde. He was a successful military man returning from India. He chose Enfield now known as Johnstown for its proximity to County Meath. His ancestors the de la Forde family settled there centuries before. The Colonel’s impressive house and estate took eight years to complete. He established a good income from his lands. Sadly he left for another military posting in India. His ship The Aurora was lost at sea. He was never seen again.
Johnstown House then passed through many hands. A Dublin merchant owned it. So did gentlemen farmers a Knight and an MP. A Governor of the Bank of Ireland also owned Johnstown at one point. In 1927 the Prendergast family purchased the house. Rose Prendergast was its mistress for over fifty years. The Rose private dining room is named after her.
The early 2000s saw the house’s restoration. It became The Johnstown House Hotel a resort. Under new ownership in 2015 it was extensively renovated and expanded. It was rebranded as The Johnstown Estate. The estate’s history spans centuries reflecting Ireland’s changing fortunes. Its story is one of military success and tragic loss. It’s also a tale of changing ownership and eventual restoration. It stands as a testament to its enduring legacy. The Johnstown Estate continues to thrive. It is a symbol of Ireland’s rich and complex past. Its story is one worth remembering and sharing.