Mount Falcon was originally built to gain a Women’s hand in marriage.
In the 18th century this part of Mayo was divided amongst two prominent English families : The Knox’s ( original owners of
Mount Falcon Estate ) and The Gore’s ( whose residence is Belleek Castle in Ballina ). In those days these families generally tended to intermarry so that the lands given to them would be maintained . John Fredrick Knox’s son Utred fell madly in love with Nina Gore of Belleek castle who was one of two daughters. However Mrs. Gore didn’t want to give the hand of her favoured daughter . Utred persisted his pursuit of Nina so much so that eventually Mrs. Gore concocted a plan that she would only allow Utred to marry her daughter if he built a house that demonstrated his love for her.
In order to impress his future mother in law in 1871 Utred Knox commissioned the most fashionable architect in the British Isles at the time; James Franklin Fuller. James Fuller is the same architect who designed Kylemore Abbey, parts of Ashford Castle and Farmleigh House in The Phoenix Park. Mount Falcon is the only example of a private residence that James Franklin Fuller ever designed in Ireland.
Mount Falcon took 5 years to complete however at the time it was the most fashionable private house in Ireland that Mrs. Gore had no choice but to give her blessing for the union in marriage of her daughter Nina to Utred Knox. Thus the house represented the union and beginning of the Knox – Gore name.
In 1932 Major John and Constance Aldridge purchased Mount Falcon. Major Aldridge was the queen’s representative in this part of Ireland. They used it as a private residence until 1955 when they decided to open their doors to visitors and it soon got the reputation as one of Ireland’s premier shooting and fishing houses. Unfortunately the major died in late 60’s but Constance continued to run the house up until 1999.
The new owners, who include the Maloney family, restored, renovated and refurbished the original house and added on the new extension thus providing 32 bedrooms. This includes 2 suites,
4 deluxe rooms and
26 superior rooms. There is also 45 of 3 and 4 bedroom lodges around the estate, a spring fed rainbow trout stocked lake and 2 miles of exclusive private
fishing on Irelands most prolific wild Atlantic salmon river – The Moy.