History of The K Club 5 Star Hotel Ireland

The K Club Straffan: from 550 A.D.

The origins of Straffan House go back to the year 550 A.D. After the Anglo - Norman invasion of Ireland, Straffan was granted by Strongbow to Maurice Fitzgerald, whose eldest son passed it to his younger brother Gerald, an ancestor of the Duke of Leinster. Richard the Lionheart's brother, who later became King John Of England and signed the Magna Carta in 1215, subsequently confirmed this grant.

The 16th century

Prominent titled families held ownership of the Kildare Country Club and by the 16th Century it was in the hands of the de Penkiston family. They paid dearly, however, for their part in a rebellion and forfeited the lands.

The 17th century

The lands were disposed of to the Gaydon family in the early 17th Century and in Cromwellion times, were forfeited again and granted to Thomas Bewley. The Gaydon family, declared innocent of the charges by which the property was seized from them, were eventually granted back the 700 acres, which they later sold to Richard Talbot in 1679 for the sum of £700.

The 19th century

In 1831 Hugh Barton, grandson of Thomas Barton, purchased the property, from Buttervant in Co. Cork, who had extensive vineyards in France. Hugh Barton, forced out of France during the infamous Reign of Terror, ploughed his fortune into Straffan House and other lands in Ireland. Barton started building a new grand house for his family in 1832, which forms the basis of the present day hotel. While under construction, the Barton's lived at nearby Barberstown Castle.

The design of the new house, which is now the east wing of the 5 star hotel in Kildare, was based on that of a great chateau at Louveciennes, to the west of Paris. For Hugh Barton and his wife Ann, Straffan became a haven of peace and contentment after the turmoil's of France. Long after the house was built, Hugh Barton added a final touch, the Italian style companile tower, still there today. Hugh Barton died on May 25th 1854 aged eighty-nine and is buried in the Church of Ireland graveyard in Straffan, where his wife is also buried.

The 20th & 21st century

The House remained in the Barton family until 1949, since which time has had five owners including Steven O'Flaherty, Kevin Mc Clory, an Iranian General, Patrick Gallagher and the Ferguson family. The Jefferson Smurit Group then purchased it in 1988.

The K Club luxury five star hotel in Ireland was opened as a Resort in July 1991, comprising of 36-bedroom hotel, and one Arnold Palmer designed golf course. Since then a second golf course the Smurfit course was developed, and an additional 33 bedrooms, garden and courtyard suites, state of the art clubhouse with ballroom and conference facilities and a luxurious spa have been added to the resort.

Dr Michael Smurfit and Mr Gerry Gannon privately purchased The K Club in 2005.

Click here for a history of Straffan - its House and History (Adobe PDF file - 500k)