“ We’re very lucky that we've inherited this wonderful backdrop, but everything that we do is based around socializing and how we can use these spaces with our friends and our family. Yes, we like to party, the Irish love to party. So, that extends not just within the interiors, but into the grounds.”
We’re in great company with James Fennell, the proud steward of Burtown House and Gardens in County Kildare, Ireland, an 18th-century Georgian Villa that he and his family have called home - growing their food and nourishing their soil naturally for over 150 years.
For decades, this has been an ever-evolving project - inspired by personal travels and created for travelers to discover - a historic property turned haven for flora and fauna. Today, three generations of the Fennell family welcome guests to come and experience their bounty of creativity and wellbeing, their blend of sustainability and heritage.
In this episode, James, a modern-day Renaissance man, tells a tale of success out of struggle and paints a picture of prosperity - for this place and the people who seek out to experience it.
Top Takeaways
[1:40] James’ childhood growing up at Burtown House was a contrast of grandeur and hardship - growing up in a beautiful yet crumbling estate, living in the basement while grand rooms sat unused - all while recognizing and refining this ‘diamond in the rough’, as he took the painstaking steps of preserving his family’s historic home.
[8:20] It was a modern-day fairy tale for James and Joanna - friends at first as they patiently waited for the stars to align - falling in love with each other and the beauty of other cultures as they traveled the world pursuing photography and interior design careers until fate called them home.
[15:50] James always had a vision for Burtown, yet it is a vision that is ever-evolving to this day. Realizing early on that restoring its natural beauty and bounty was not enough, it needed to be shared.
[20:00] Whether guests are coming for a taste of what is in season at the Green Barn Restaurant, to stroll through the gardens for a special gathering, to pack a picnic full of their favorite finds from Jo’s Pantry, or to settle in for the night in the Stable Yard - there is a touch of rustic elegance woven throughout their experience, with big flavors and bright flowers abound.
[35:30] With their three talented children coming of age and all creatives in their own rights, James and Jo are busy setting the stage for them within the family business - bringing about new projects from bespoke cask whiskey called Burtown Bonded to sustainable cabins and sculpture gardens to fruit orchards and a boutique stay at their sister property in Portugal.
Notable Mentions
Head Chef Sylvain Costrowa, The Green Barn Restaurant
Charles Dowding, English Horticulturalist
Wendy Walsh, Botanical Artist
Restaurant de Kas, Amsterdam
At Your Service TV Series
The Pig “Restaurants with Rooms”, England
