It was originally erected by Charles Brownlow, and had been called Lurgan House. It is famous as a Palladine style honey coloured mansion. One of its iconic features is that each of its 100 (approximately) chimneys have a completely original design. It is constructed in the Elizabethan style using freestone imported from Scotland. It was built in 1836 to the design by Scottish architect William Henry Playfair, replacing the earlier house which had been built in the early 1600's. The new house was constructed in the Elizabethan style and stood in an estate of some 259 acres, including a 59 acre man made lake.
The house and estate were well-known: a description of 1797 states: 'The demesne, though very beautiful, corresponds with the antiquity of the castle. It is highly ornamented with a fine sheet of water which is covered with swans, Cape geese, wild duck and a beautiful variety of wildfowl. Around the lake is a pleasant and neat gravel walk decorated with elegant plantations. The park is well stocked with deer and numerous hares sport through every part of the demesne.'
The Lake or 'mill dam' was dug by hand during the Famine as a means of creating jobs for the local people. When it was built it became the largest lake in Ireland. It as one of the chief improvements to Lord Brownlow's demesne, and it was during its creation that the term 'Lurgan Spade came into use. Anyone who looks downtrodden or forlorn is to this day described as 'having a face like a Lurgan spade'.
Here's a useful webpage for any further reading.
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