A Brief History of Sunnybank House

Sunnybank House, one of the oldest buildings in the locality, was built by John D'arcy, who founded Clifden town in 1823. It is unclear who its first occupant was, but it is clear that the building was originally a residence. In the mid-1800s it became the property of the Church of Ireland, and later served as an RIC Army Officers Retreat. During the Irish Civil War it was occupied by the Free State Forces and at one stage was actually under siege. The southwestern gable of the building was landmined and breached - during restoration by the present owner empty shells were found embedded in gable plaster. In 1940, it once again became privately owned and subsequently sold to the Sisters of Mercy, who opened a girl's finishing school on the premises. It was finally purchased by the present owner, who fully restored the building to its original state and opened it as a registered guesthouse in 1977.

The early 17th century anchor which is on display on the front lawn was recovered from the sea in the Slyne Head area of the West coast of Ireland. It is believed to have come from a sailing ship weighing more than four hundred tons and measuring over a hundred feet long. The shank of the anchor had rusted to its original thickness when found. The wooden stock had disintegrated and was replaced by a new oak stock which was built to scale and fitted prior to the erecting of the anchor on the site. The anchor, which has been dated and recorded by the Irish National Museum, is believed to date from the era of the Spanish Armada.

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