Ballinlough Castle has been home to the same family for over four hundred years and is unusual in having remained in the hands of a Catholic Irish family throughout its history.

The family were originally O’Reillys and became Nugents in 1812, when Sir Hugh O’Reilly assumed the surname and arms of Nugent in order to inherit a legacy from his maternal uncle, John Nugent of Tortola. Sir Hugh had been created a baronet in 1795.

The castle dates from the seventeenth century and incorporates an earlier tower house. The O’Reilly coat of arms above the entrance carries the date 1614, together with the family motto *Fortitudine et Prudentia*. The significance of the 1614 date has been questioned, but it has long been associated with the history of the house.

In the late eighteenth century Sir Hugh O’Reilly carried out substantial alterations, including the addition of the wing overlooking the lake. The work is generally attributed to Thomas Wogan Browne, an amateur architect who was also associated with alterations at Malahide Castle. The entrance hall was also remodelled, creating the impressive two-storey hall with its gallery, grand staircase and elaborate plasterwork.

The family had strong connections with Austria. Sir Hugh’s brothers James and Andrew entered Austrian military service, with Andrew eventually becoming Governor-General of Vienna and Chamberlain to the Emperor.

Ballinlough and its setting were described by Atkinson in *The Irish Tourist* in 1815. He was struck by the antiquity of the castle and its position above the lake, while the interior impressed him with its fine furnishings, Italian marble and collection of paintings.

The fortunes of the family declined during the nineteenth century and much of the estate and many of the contents of the castle were eventually sold. Sir Hugh Nugent returned to Ballinlough in 1927 and began a programme of restoration and improvements, which was continued by later generations of the family.

The Nugents continue to live at Ballinlough today. The castle, lake and surrounding demesne remain an important part of the heritage of the Delvin area, with the grounds also noted for their variety of wild flowers and the butterflies and other wildlife they support.

The castle and grounds are privately owned, but in recent years the estate has provided the setting for a number of high-profile concerts and events. Artists who have performed at Ballinlough include Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, the Pet Shop Boys and Carl Cox. From 2010 until 2025, the grounds were also home to the Body&Soul Festival, which became one of Ireland’s best-known music and arts festivals.