Lisnavagh House and Gardens

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Lisnavagh House and Gardens

In 1669 the Bunbury family bought the land at Lisnavagh in County Carlow.

Ten generations later, the gothic revival family home hosts wellness retreats, private weddings, a well being and arts festival, bespoke events, a market garden and cottage rentals Today, Lisnavagh House & Gardens hosts private weddings, parties or celebrations, short term private hire, yoga retreats and bespoke events. The Victorian farmyard is home to a growing number of small businesses including the Lisnavagh Timber Project and the Bunbury Boards.

05/12/2025

Fancy a sauna during the Christmas Market? Take this opportunity to revive yourself in our beautiful newly built sauna in the woods of Lisnavagh. Designed (based on the old Irish sweat lodge Teach Allais) and built by George Quirke our sauna is nestled beside the woodland lake if you fancy a cold dip. There are also showers available.

Available 11-1pm Saturday and Sunday €15 per person for 30 minutes and payment is in advance through the link in our bio. After the sauna visit our cafe and market in the Garden Wing. See you there! 🔥

03/12/2025

This Christmas gift the magic of Lisnavagh ✨ If you're looking for meaningful presents filled with beauty and a sense of place, we have some thoughtful ideas to make this Christmas feel truly special. Inspired by our woodland and our gardens, each gift carries a story — and an invitation to slow down and enjoy life.

🪵 Bunbury Boards

Crafted from timber grown and milled here at Lisnavagh, each Bunbury Board is one-of-a-kind — shaped by history, nature, and skill. A unique piece for someone who loves to cook and appreciates the warmth of handcrafted design.

🎟️ Retreat gift vouchers

The perfect gift if you want to offer time, rest, and renewal. Our retreat vouchers invite your loved one to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature, movement, and themselves.

🥗 Veg Boxes & Bunbury Boxes

And for those who wish to bring a little of Lisnavagh into everyday life, we now offer subscriptions for our Veg Boxes and Bunbury Boxes. Our Veg Boxes are filled with seasonal harvests from our Walled Garden — grown naturally, harvested with care, and rooted in the rhythms of the land. Each delivery brings a taste of the garden to your table, supporting a more mindful, seasonal way of eating.

Our Bunbury Boxes are a thoughtfully curated way to bring a slice of Lisnavagh home — whether it’s breakfast, brunch or lunch, each box is packed with quality ingredients, organic where possible, and designed to make time around food feel meaningful including different products like sourdough loaf, granola, jam/marmalade, apple juice, seasonal soup, hummus and kombucha, between others!

With every gift from Lisnavagh, you’re supporting local craft, sustainable woodland practices, and a tradition rooted in care for land and people. Follow the link in our bio and get your favourite gift 💚

01/12/2025

Our dear Tobar has finally left us after 16 happy years. Tobar, who always liked to do just what he wanted (right to the end) was a big character - sometimes facetious and mostly loving. He was highly intelligent and cost us a fortune in shoes and boots he would often carry one out into the woods in his mouth dropping it when he picked up an interesting smell. Carrying something in his mouth - including a giant teddy bear - was his way and quite often it was a log - the heavier the better which he would wrap his jaw around and carry it in his mouth in a systematic manner with his hang dog look. He hunted birds but guns was not his thing and when there was a clay pigeon shooting group at the house we put ear muffs on him which did the trick - in his latter years he turned deaf which helped him! What a character and he will live on in our memories. We will miss him greatly and so will our Lulu, Bear and Tumble. RIP ❤️💚💔 ✨

28/11/2025

Experience the magic of Lisnavagh Christmas Market 2025! On Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 December, from 10am to 5pm, step into our cosy Garden Wing and enjoy a festive weekend where an array of local and sustainable stalls will showcase their handmade seasonal items.

💫 Here’s just a glimpse of what you will find
bunzs
Quirky greeting card company from Tullow that uses a rabbit as their main theme, drawing different adventures they go on or get themselves into.

Machine knitted garments using Soft merino wool from the Mills of Donegal which comes in an amazing range of colours inspired by the Irish landscape. You will find classic and timeless designs to show off this luxurious wool.

Handcrafted silver jewelry with deeply intimate meaning, designed to offer warm and gentle reinforcement in dealing with personal challenges.

We created the Bedpet Bed for our beloved dogs, a super solid structure that you and your dog will enjoy for many years to come. The Bedpet Bed really is unlike any dog bed you have experienced before.

A curated collection of vintage treasures, home decor, and timeless finds. Each piece has its own story and character.

⁠Clutch bags and cushion covers. From India some napkins and wash bags and table place mats.

Stoneware ceramics featuring textures, patterns and symbols inspired by the natural world.

Brian Dowling – Irish Artisan Candles
Hand-poured candles crafted in Ireland with care. Beautiful scents, natural ingredients, and a warm touch of Irish craftsmanship.

Ciara Kennedy - Forever Aloe Beauty
Nourishing skincare and wellness products made from high-quality aloe vera. Gentle, natural, and designed to support daily wellbeing.

Ann Mooney – Jewellery
Unique, handcrafted jewellery pieces made with artistry and attention to detail. Elegant designs perfect for gifting or treating yourself.

The Lisnavagh Christmas Market 2025 is the perfect place to find meaningful presents for your loved ones ❤️ During the weekend the Lisnavagh café will be selling delicious homemade treats, hot food and drinks.

25/11/2025

Last Thursday’s Seasonal Feast & Walled Garden Tour brought together everything we love sharing at Lisnavagh: good food, meaningful conversations, and the simple pleasure of gathering around a long table 😍

After an inspiring walk through the Walled Garden with Andrew -where guests learned about the work behind seasonal growing- we settled into the Garden Wing for a feast shaped entirely by the late-autumn harvest.

It was the kind of evening where time slowed down: plates were filled with garden produce and locally sourced meats prepared by chef Steve Mercer, stories were shared, and the atmosphere felt warm and unhurried. Seeing everyone relax into the meal, enjoying the flavours of the season, and savour the setting made the night feel truly special.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, we look forward to welcoming you again soon for more seasonal gatherings at Lisnavagh ❤️

21/11/2025

Slow down and reconnect at Lisnavagh 🧘🏽‍♀️✨ We’re delighted to welcome you once again to our Yoga & Sleep Retreat with Pam Butler, a weekend designed to help you slow down, restore balance, and return to yourself.

📌 When and where?

From Friday, 28th to Sunday, 30th. The programme includes 2 night weekend stay (Lisnavagh Stables Courtyard or House) + Full programme & tuition + All meals and refreshments. Follow the link in our bio to book your place!

This retreat is about pressing pause — stepping away from the rush of daily life to breathe deeply, move gently, and rest fully. Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, Pam’s mindful approach to Hatha and Shadow Yoga invites you to explore movement and stillness with awareness and care.

Across the weekend, you’ll enjoy guided yoga sessions, meditation, forest walks and space for long, restorative rest 💆🏽‍♀️ all within the tranquil surroundings of Lisnavagh House & Gardens. Between sessions, cosy fires crackle in the library and dining room, offering quiet spots for reading or reflection.

Delicious home prepared vegan and vegetarian food is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner with colour and style and made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Comfortable bedrooms and deep baths complete the experience, encouraging the kind of rest that lingers long after you leave 🧖🏻‍♀️

🧘🏽‍♀️ About Pam Butler

Nearly thirty years ago, Pam discovered the comprehensive benefits of yoga and qualified to teach in 2000 to share this art and science. She now also teaches Shadow-style hatha yoga. Shadow yoga draws one’s attention to the internal landscape, which guides the physical shape of the asana, which progressively builds strength, flexibility, balance and resilience.

When Emily started the Yoga & Sleep retreats at Lisnavagh in 2010, Pam developed the yoga programme to provide participants with a well-rounded yoga experience that gave some physical challenge, yet allowed time for stillness, headspace, and deep relaxation.

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13/11/2025

Join us for an afternoon that celebrates good food, community and the land that sustains it. Our Seasonal Feast and Walled Garden Tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the rhythms of our Walled Garden 🍅🌱🫛 a space where the seasons guide every planting and harvest.

Led by Andrew Jordan, our permaculture teacher, the tour invites you to discover how thoughtful, sustainable growing practices shape the food we eat. With years of experience in organic horticulture and a deep respect for natural systems, Andrew brings the garden to life 👨🏼‍🌾 sharing stories, methods and insights into how we grow without chemicals, in harmony with the land.

After the walk, we’ll gather to enjoy a beautiful seasonal feast inspired by the garden’s bounty and locally sourced ingredients 🥗 an honest celebration of flavour, freshness, and the turning of the year.

📌 When and where?

Thursday 20th November at the Walled Garden of Lisnavagh. Follow the link in our bio and book your place! €45 per person or €80 for two tickets. Accommodation available at Lisnavagh. Accommodation available at Lisnavagh for those who’d like to make a night of it.

📝 About the programme

🍹 4pm - Arrival and Walled Garden Tour (to beat the light!)
👨🏼‍🌾 5pm - Welcome drink
🥗 7pm - Seasonal Feast in Lisnavagh Garden Wing
🪇 Bring your instrument for a gentle live music session around fire!

Come to explore, stay for meaningful conversations, and leave inspired by the importance of growing real food guided by nature’s rhythms.

07/11/2025

Join us at Lisnavagh with family and friends for our second Seasonal Feast and Walled Garden Tour 🍅🫛

This special evening on Thursday 20th November will be a private tour of the Lisnavagh Walled Garden with talented market gardener and permaculture teacher, Andrew Jordan, who will share insights into how the garden thrives naturally 🌱 without chemicals and in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

After the tour, we will gather in the Garden Wing for an Seasonal Feast of Garden Produce and locally sourced slow cooked meats all designed and brought together by chef Steve Mercer 😋

This is taking farm to fork up to a new level with pure food cooked honestly, enjoyed in a festive atmosphere with authentic, organically grown food, free from chemicals and microplastics. Your taste buds will surely explode!

📌 When and where?

Thursday 20th November at the Walled Garden of Lisnavagh. Follow the link in our bio and book your place! €45 per person or €80 for two tickets. Accommodation available at Lisnavagh for those who’d like to make a night of it.

📝 About the programme

👨🏼‍🌾 4pm - Tour of Walled Garden (while it is light!)
👨🏼‍🌾 5pm - Questions & Answers by Andrew
🍹6.30pm - Welcome drink in Garden Wing
🥗 7.00pm - Seasonal Feast in Lisnavagh Garden Wing plus meet the Steve, the chef

🪇 Bring your instrument for a gentle session around the fire!

04/11/2025

In the stillness of Lisnavagh, time seems to slow and our retreats offer something unique — a space to pause, to breathe and to return to yourself ❤️

Sometimes what we need is the space to simply be. Our retreats are designed to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with yourself. Set within the peacefulness of the house and surrounded by nature, Lisnavagh offers you time away from distraction and the noise of everyday life, giving you the chance to reset (to move, rest, and reflect at your own pace!).

Days unfold gently here. Morning light filters through the trees, fires burn softly in the evenings, and nourishing food from our Walled Garden reminds you of the simple rhythm of nature. Whether through yoga, meditation, forest walks, or quiet moments alone, Lisnavagh gives you room to restore your energy and perspective.

This is not about escape, it’s about returning. To yourself. To stillness. To what truly matters. Follow the link in our bio and discover our upcoming retreats:

💆🏽‍♀️ Big Yin, Nidra & Movement with Laura Lochab Retreat, from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th November.
🧘🏽‍♀️ Yoga & Sleep Retreat with Pam Butler, from Friday 28th to to Sunday 30th November.

31/10/2025

Cook Eat Learn - Join us for an afternoon and evening full of discovery!

You will learn the delights of harvesting organic ingredients from the Lisnavagh Walled Garden under the guidance and tuition of Andrew Jordan followed by a cookery experience with chef Steve Mercer plus a potted history of Lisnavagh from William Bunbury. Finish off the evening with a mini vegetarian feast dining in the company of Andrew, Steve and William!

📌 When and where?

Friday, 14th November at the Garden Wing of Lisnavagh. Follow the link in our bio or call us 0599161473 to book your place! €110 per person (€90 per person two bookings together). Accommodation available at Lisnavagh for those who’d like to make a night of it.

This unique experience will provide enjoyment and a multitude of insights into how to grow real food plus learn how to enjoy wholesome food in your own home.

📝 About the programme

👋🏼 3pm - Arrival and Welcome.
🌱 3.30pm - Harvesting with Andrew Jordan in Walled garden.
👨🏼‍🍳 4.30pm - Cookery with Steve Mercer
🗣️6pm - Potted history of Lisnavagh with William Bunbury.
🥗 6.30pm - Vegetarian feast (2 courses)
🫂 9pm - Depart at leisure

👨🏼‍🌾 About Steve and Andrew

With over 15 years of experience in professional kitchens, Steve is a classically trained chef from Bristol, UK, whose cooking is rooted in a deep respect for seasonal, locally grown ingredients. Having worked in a field-to-fork kitchen, Steve developed a passion for showcasing produce at its freshest — a philosophy that continues to shape their approach to food today.

Andrew has been involved in growing food since 2001, beginning his journey on organic farms and ecovillage projects in New Zealand and Canada. There, he was introduced to concepts such as Permaculture, Seed Sovereignty, Agroforestry and the "Soil Food Web". On his return to Europe, he spent several years travelling around the continent, training and working in all aspects of Regenerative Agriculture, Forest Farming, Market gardening, Therapeutic Horticulture and much more.

21/10/2025

The Inipi Ceremony (Native American Sweatlodge) is a sacred and ancient tradition that offers a profound and transformative healing experience. In a rustic dome that symbolizes the womb of Mother Earth, participants gather to purify their bodies and souls through a ritualistic combination of intense heat, aromatic and medicinal herbs, drumming, and spiritual chants. The rising steam from the volcanic rocks carries the medicine of the four elements: earth, wind, water, and fire. These will purify our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. The Inipi represents a spiritual journey, a holistic healing process, and a deeply rooted cultural heritage.

In the depths of our beings, we recognise the power and wisdom that flows through our veins. Carried through centuries, these ceremonies connect us to ancestral practices that guide us toward a deeper understanding of our divine connection to the earth, the cosmos, and each other.

This sacred ceremony grants us a unique opportunity to honor and embrace the profound teachings of the Native American ways and apply the teachings to our own journey.

📌 When and where?

Sunday 26 October at Lisnavagh. Book your place in the link of our bio, take into account that spaces are limited to 25 people.

Held by Oscar and Yaneli, wisdom keepers from Mexico, this sweatlodge is a space where we can greatly benefit, by healing and expanding awareness. May the echoes of our prayers reverberate through time and space, uniting our hearts in a pure intention.
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🧘🏽‍♀️ About Oscar & Yaneli 🧘🏻

Yaneli Meztli is a soulful singer, dancer, and keeper of Mexican traditions. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated herself to learning and leading Native Mexican ceremonies, including Aztec dance, drumming circles, and Temazcal (sweatlodge). Her soothing yet powerful songs create a warm atmosphere at each ceremony, accompanied by the beat of the drum.The fire at these ceremonies is tended by Oscar Tekpatl, who has also been deeply involved in these traditions for many years. Together, Yaneli and Oscar form a duo called Xiuh.

Address

Lisnavagh, Rathvilly
Carlow

Telephone

+353599161473

Website

https://linktr.ee/lisnavagh

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