History | Moy Valley

The ‘castle’ was created from the love of one young man for his bride. He agreed that she was so special that she deserved to live in a ‘castle’. In 1872 this young man – Utred Knox – commissioned the finest architect of that time, James Franklin Fuller, who also designed Ashford Castle, Kylemore Abbey & Farmleigh House, to construct for them a palatial home at Mount Falcon, an estate of 2,200 acres on the west bank of the River Moy, between Foxford and Ballina, for himself and his new bride – Miss Nina Knox-Gore of Beleek Manor. This stunning baronial structure looks as impressive today as it would have in 1876 when it was completed. In 1932 it was purchased by Major and Constance Aldridge who ran it season after season as one of the finest shooting and fishing lodges in Ireland. Major Aldridge had a great love for country pursuits and exploited fully the natural resources of the estate for his guests. The jewel in the crown of Mount Falcon is its adjoining two miles of fishing rights on the River Moy. Famous for its salmon pools, it is undisputedly one of Europe’s most bountiful salmon rivers.

Connie Aldridge was one of the founders of the now famous “Blue Book” of country houses. Numerous guests from all over the world including Vivien Leigh, Peter Sellars, Dr. Patrick Hillary and Jack Lynch, and more recently, Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, John Cooke and Nick Faldo, have enjoyed all that Mount Falcon has to offer. The current owners will now take Mount Falcon to a higher level. Whilst retaining its history, charm and hospitality, they are developing and enhancing its accommodation, fishing, leisure facilities, conference and business amenities to the highest degree, suitable for the expectations of the 21st century.