About us

Justin  Green

Chairman

Justin Green is the owner of Ballyvolane House in Co. Cork, which he and his wife Jenny have managed since 2004. A graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management, Justin built his career in luxury hospitality with roles in Hong Kong, Bali, Dubai, Dublin, and Somerset before returning home to lead Ballyvolane House’s development as a boutique hospitality destination. His main interests within Historic Houses of Ireland are business diversification, food and hospitality, and supporting historic houses to thrive as sustainable and relevant enterprises.

Brian Hamilton

Brian Hamilton is the owner of Island House in Thomastown, County Kilkenny. He is the former Chief Architect with Ireland’s Office of Public Works. He is active in local heritage and planning matters.

Teige O'Donovan​

Teige O’Donovan is the current chief of the O’Donovan clan and custodian of Hollybrook House, Skibbereen, continuing a centuries-old lineage rooted in West Cork. He presides over clan gatherings and heritage events that celebrate O’Donovan history and its ties to the family seat at Hollybrook

Patrick Perceval Blunden 

Patrick is the current custodian of Castle Blunden, a historic house and estate just outside

Kilkenny City, one of the few properties still held by the original builder's family.

His professional background spans farming, engineering, IT, and financial and

investment markets. Within Historic Houses of Ireland, his focus is on the long-term physical and financial sustainability of historic houses and estates learning.

Jeff Young

Jeff Young and his wife Jean have owned Rokeby Hall in County Louth since 1995, performing significant restoration works over the last thirty years. Jeff spent his career in software architecture as a Principal Scientist at Adobe Systems, and now contributes to free, open source software. In addition to IT, Jeff maintains a passionate interest in the nuts and bolts of historic property preservation.

Anthony Ardee

Anthony Ardee and his wife Fionnuala are the stewards of Killruddery House in County Wicklow, which has has been home to their family since 1618, Within Historic Houses of Ireland, Anthony's particular focus is on biodiversity, sustainability, and demonstrating how historic estates can operate as environmentally and economically resilient models for the future.

Thomas Cosby 

Thomas Cosby is the present custodian of Stradbally Hall, the historic family estate in County Laois that's remained in the Cosby lineage since the Tudor plantations. Stradbally Hall has been home to the Electric Picnic since 2004. It has grown from being Ireland's premier boutique festival to its largest,  welcoming 80,000 people in 2025. 

Orla McCabe

Treasurer

Orla is a Law graduate from Trinity and qualified accountant, Orla has extensive M&A and corporate finance experience in London and Ireland, and now brings her expertise to managing Historic Houses of Ireland's finances.

Geraldine Stack

Geraldine Stack serves as a board member of Historic Houses of Ireland, actively supporting independent historic properties across the country. She combines her legal expertise—being a Senior Associate in Clyde & Co’s Dublin officewith a valuable governance role in heritage conservation.

Loretta Grogan

Secretary

Loretta is the custodian of Castlecor Hunting Lodge in County Longford, overseeing its restoration and conservation, while recording its architectural and social history.  Loretta’s current professional work is Directorships with the HHI Board, Co. Longford Tourism Board, and RISLI and her academic background includes an MBA and qualifications in project management, nursing, garden design and hospitality. Having travelled extensively, Loretta brings a global perspective to her work in heritage preservation and cultural promotion and would like to further coordination and collaboration with European Historic house’s Association, EHH. 

Alex Conyngham

Alex Conyngham, The Marquess Conyngham, is the current custodian of Slane Castle in County Meath, the Conyngham family’s ancestral home since 1703. He co-founded Slane Irish Whiskey and partnered with Brown-Forman to establish a distillery on the estate, building on earlier international experience as a whiskey brand ambassador. Today, he leads the ongoing development of the estate—alongside his wife Carina—combining live music events, hospitality, organic farming and biodiversity initiatives to sustain the Slane Castle Estate as a modern, entrepreneurial and culturally significant destination

Aoife Keogh

Aoife Keogh is the creative force behind Whitestwon House, Naul, Co. Dublin, a restored historic house and demesne, home to The Dining Club, private events and workshops. Aoife is an artist educator who lectures in the National College of Art and Design and has a background in textile design and film set design. Aoife is passionate about art history, art education and traditional heritage skills and traditions, and the role of historic houses as a site of learning and community. 

Mary Hegarty 

Administrator

A central role in supporting the network of privately owned historic houses across Ireland. As Administrator, she manages day-to-day operations, coordinates events, and serves as the main point of contact for members. Her work helps strengthen connections within the organisation and promotes the preservation and public engagement of Ireland’s architectural heritage.

Thomas Emmet

Events and External Relations Officer

Thomas Emmet works as the Events and External Relations Officer for Historic Houses of Ireland and is the Next Generation owner of Altidore Castle as well as the Next Gen Vice President of European Historic Houses. He has worked with festivals and in diverse political campaigns from referendums to Seanad, local and general elections. He has a deep passion for the preservation of heritage, making culture widely accessible and progressing social justice causes.