n 1741, Joseph Leeson—who would later become the 1st Earl of Milltown—commissioned the renowned architect Richard Cassels to design a grand residence that would reflect his family’s rising prominence. Completed in 1755, the result was Russborough House, a striking example of Palladian architecture, celebrated for its balanced proportions and classical elegance.

The Leeson family, later elevated to the Earls of Milltown, were the original visionaries behind Russborough and its first residents. In 1931, ownership passed to the wealthy Daly family, and in 1952, it was acquired by the Beit family.

Alfred Beit, a distinguished art collector, brought a remarkable collection of world-renowned masterpieces to Russborough House, including works by Dutch, British, and Spanish masters such as Jan Vermeer, Henry Raeburn, and Francisco de Goya. Unfortunately, the house’s treasures also attracted unwanted attention. In April 1974, it became the target of a notorious robbery led by four IRA members, including Rose Dugdale. Nineteen paintings, valued at £8 million, were stolen during the heist.

Beyond its history of art and aristocracy, Russborough House is also said to be home to two resident ghosts. Bedroom No. 9 is reportedly haunted by the spirit of a kindly old gentleman, while Bedroom No. 1 is said to be visited by the ghost of a friendly elderly lady—who was even captured in a photograph by one astonished guest.