Some History The Lisdoonie was originally a pair of large Victorian semi-detached houses , the town side one having a large garden surrounded by a high wall and trees. This is where we believe the name to have originated, most probaly translated as "garden on the hill" in Gaellic. The earlier part of the century saw this house used as a Gentleman's club and many of the trophys are on display in the hotel. At this point the garden was alternately utilised as a tennis court then a bowling green as fashion and enthusiasm dictated. A bowling trophy is mounted by the entrance to the resident's dining room and the attached plaque shows the green in use and behind the players can be seen what is now the TV room and bedrooms 1 and 2. Gradually the membership declined and after the last steward and his wife passed away the building fell into disrepair, until it was bought and converted into the Lisdoonie in 1975. Unfortunately most of the garden was either built on or made into carpark.

The other side.... The other semi was for many years a Christian science reading room and many locals still remember the open bible on display in a glass case built into the Abbey road wall during this period. Under the resident's dining room wall-paper were found religious texts and when the property was first viewed by the Cook family the downstairs room had pews and altar all ready for services. Unusually for such a large and imposing property it was also without a bathroom or heating.