Roundwood House - Co Laoise

Who are you? And how did Roundwood House come about?

“Paddy & Hannah Flynn. Hannah’s parents bought the house in 1983 from the Irish Georgian Society (they had saved the house from the fate of demolition in the 1970s and spent 10 years restoring it before putting it on the market) and opened it as a guest house that same year. Hannah grew up in the house, left at the age of 17 to study Classics in Galway, and met her Canadian, musician husband Paddy there. They moved to Roundwood to take over the business from Hannah’s parents 13 years ago. They have two girls, Amélie and Lucie, who have lived in Roundwood all their lives.

I first met Hannah and Paddy over two years ago when I called over to do a recce for an upcoming wedding that year. I fell in love immediately! I knew I wanted to do a feature on Roundwood and spoke to Hannah about it immediately. Unfortunately, COVID put a big halt on things but during that time we stayed in touch, always ready to shoot when the time was right. I do believe that the time was right!

We were invited by Hannah and Paddy to stay at Roundwood and I can simply say the experience was unforgettable.

The short but windy road to Roundwood House in the County Laoise Midlands gives nothing away until you are met with the most beautiful view of the manner amidst a magical forest setting. As many have said before, it really is as if you are transported into The Secret Garden, leaving all your stresses behind you.

The magic begins the minute you enter the grounds of Roundwood House and it envelops you like a warm hug.