Loughlinstown House is one of the oldest and largest surviving Georgian houses in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown and is of considerable architectural interest. It is home to Eurofound – The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – the only EU agency based in Ireland. In 2025, Eurofound marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century since it was established in 1975 as one of the first EU agencies.The tour will offer an opportunity to visit both the historic the Georgian building and the purpose-built conference centre, which was considered a state-of-the art building at the time of its construction. In addition, Eurofound staff will outline the work of the agency.The first building on the grounds was a C13 medieval castle. In 1660, the English King Charles II gifted ‘the Castle, Towne and Lands of Laughanstown’ to Sir William Domville (1609 – 1689). Sir William built a ‘modern’ house, which in 1752, a visitor described as ‘old and ruinous and ingeniously situated to avoid one of the sweetest prospects’. The two-storey Georgian house features a seven-bay front with a one-bay breakfront, including a Venetian window above a tripartite rusticated and fanlight doorway. The lands also included a large, enclosed garden, woods and two small lakes. The estate remained in the hands of the Domville family until it was sold in 1963 to John Galvin. Galvin, in turn, sold the estate to Dún Laoghaire Corporation for housing development in 1976, and the OPW acquired Loughlinstown House and its parkland. Following a site visit on 7 May 1976, the Governing Board of Eurofound accepted the Irish Government’s offer and established the EU Agency in Loughlinstown House. By 1987, the Agency had outgrown Loughlinstown House, leading to the construction of a new 2,300sqm was officially opened by the Irish President Mary Robinson in September 1992.

Meeting point: Loughlinstown House, Wyattville Rd, Loughlinstown, Dublin, D18 KP65

Pre-Book Only

The tour will take place inside and outside. There is a staircase inside leading to the first floor.

Accessible Toilets
Assistance Dogs welcome