BALLINA, Co. Mayo – Mount Falcon is celebrating a major milestone in 2026, marking 150 years since the historic house was built in 1876. The sesquicentennial anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year with a range of special hotel and lodge packages and promotions, including gift ideas for Mother’s Day, a St Patrick’s Day lodge offer, and a Spring Dinner, Bed & Breakfast package.
Mount Falcon reopens to the public on Friday, 13 March, following its annual winter break, with the family and staff looking forward to welcoming guests to share in the rich history and legacy of one of the West of Ireland’s most distinctive country estates.
When Utred Augustus Knox completed construction of his country manor house in 1876, built as a gift for his intended bride, he could scarcely have imagined the world 150 years later. Today, Mount Falcon stands as a stately yet welcoming reminder of Victorian ideals. The house was designed by renowned architect James Franklin Fuller, who was also responsible for several Guinness family retreats and what is now known as Kylemore Abbey.
Although originally a private family home, Mount Falcon has always been a place of retreat. From its earliest days, extended family and friends were welcomed to enjoy country pursuits such as fishing, hunting, horse riding and leisurely walks through the estate. It was later the Aldridge family who laid the foundations for Mount Falcon’s future as one of Ireland’s notable country house hotels.
Major Robert Aldridge and his wife Constance, fondly known as Connie, transformed Mount Falcon into a guesthouse in the 1970s. Although the Major passed away in the autumn of 1976, the couple had already established a reputation for warm hospitality, hosting a number of distinguished guests. Among those welcomed were Vivien Leigh, Peter Sellers, former President of Ireland Patrick Hillery, and former Taoiseach Jack Lynch.
Connie Aldridge continued to run the property until 2000, selling the estate at the age of 91. In 2002, Alan Maloney and his brothers Barry and Michael undertook an extensive renovation and development programme, shaping Mount Falcon into the hotel it is today. Inspired by the heritage preserved by Connie Aldridge and the Knox family before her, the Maloney family built upon that legacy while enhancing the estate’s facilities.
Today, Mount Falcon encompasses 100 acres of landscaped woodland and parkland, featuring walking trails, falconry, clay pigeon shooting, a luxury spa and leisure centre, a fishing lake, and two miles of private fishery on the River Moy, widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier salmon rivers.
The Maloney family continues the long-standing tradition of welcoming guests from near and far to this Mayo country retreat. This year also marks 20 years since Mount Falcon welcomed its first hotel guests under their stewardship. The 150-year celebration offers an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable past while looking ahead to the next chapter for this jewel of the West of Ireland.