Lugdine Park: Maureen O'Hara's Former Irish Home

Legendary actress Maureen O’Hara, with her fiery red hair and exquisite beauty, was always proud to be Irish.

Although she spent the final years of her life in America to be closer to family, O’Hara let it be known that her heart would always be in Ireland, particularly with her former County Cork estate, known as Lugdine Park.

In 2012 O’Hara, who was then in her early 90’s, left Lugdine Park for good to live with family in Idaho. She had her Irish property listed for sale – a scenic coastal home on 35 acres outside the town of Glengarriff.

The stunning parcel of land also came with two nearby private islands.

O’Hara, who was best known for her role in the classic 1947 film Miracle On 34th Street, bought Lugdine Park in 1970 with her husband Charles Blair. They lived there on and off until 2005 when she took up full-time residence at the estate.

Maureen O’Hara’s beloved Lugdine Park is set in one of the most picturesque locations in all of Ireland. Surrounded by lush woodlands, it overlooks Glengarriff Bay with its islands in the foreground and the Cork/Kerry mountains in the distance.

“Driving through the one road village, I knew right away that it had all the cozy charm we were looking for. We turned down the long avenue and kept driving and driving for what seemed like miles, looking for the house. We still hadn’t seen it when Charlie glimpsed the sea through the trees. His face lit up, and I knew. He said, ‘Oh this is perfect. It’s perfect! We’re buying it’.”

Lugdine Park eventually sold for roughly $1.8 million USD.

As we can see from the real estate listing photos, the house remained largely in its original state at the time of sale.

Some would call the décor “dated”, but look at the adorable untouched vintage kitchen!

This place was O’Hara’s respite from the world, and we can see why, with its quaint cottage style and magnificent ocean views.

We can envision Maureen spending idle hours here, peering out over the scenic Irish landscape.

O’Hara isn’t the only notable former inhabitant of Lugdine Park. It was originally owned by William Martin Murphy, who owned the Irish Daily Independent.

Another fascinating part of the estate’s history is that during the Second World War, it fell into the hands of Baron von Dornberg, a member of the German SS who served as Hitler’s Chief of Protocol from 1938–1945. Dornberg sold it to an English couple, who then sold it to O’Hara and her husband Charlie.

The main house is 3,665 square feet and the property also includes a guest cottage and outdoor changing rooms for the property’s private beach.

“I have so many wonderful memories over these many years at Lugdine, and now it’s time to pass her on to another lucky family who will cherish her as much as I have,” O’Hara told the Daily Mail in 2012.

The new owners are reportedly a couple from the United Kingdom.

Maureen O’Hara passed away in 2015 at the age of 95 in Boise, Idaho.