This beautiful country house set in lush grounds originally belonged to the Innis family, but for many years now has served as the centre of operations for the Society of Missions to Africa.
The centre was extensively refurbished to include a conference centre with accommodation for visiting delgates.
Visitors to Dromantine invariably are impressed by the stunning beauty of the early 19th century house, extensive grounds, lake, colourful woodlands and pleasant walks set in the 320 acre estate with the Mourne mountains and Slieve Gullion in the in the background.
With beautiful grounds, tranquil, peaceful atmosphere along with the modern facilities make Dromantine the perfect venue for retreats, conferences, chapters, assemblies, workshops, meetings, church, inter-church, ecumenical, medical, educational, business and community groups.
The history of Dromantine estate dates back to the middle ages. The ancient Irish clan of Magennis dominated most of South County Down from the 14th - 17th century and owned vast tracts of land in that area, including what is now Dromantine Estate. Following the political upheavals of the early 17th c. one of the Magennis clansmen, Murtagh, became the owner of an estate of 4200 acres within the precinct of Clanagan
In 1741 the Manor of Clanagan passed from Magennis ownership to that of a Scottish Family called Innes. In 1806 Arthur Innes built the original part of the existing house in Neo-classical style. When he died in 1820 he left a magnificent house within a beautifully landscaped demesne complete with a newly formed lake. His grandson, Arthur Charles Innes, became the owner of the property and in the 1860s extended the original house (now called Dromantine House) making it even more stately and imposing.
ACCOMMODATION
Dromantine offers visitors a wealth of room combinations and overnight stay facilities:
42 Single rooms
30 Double Rooms
1 self-contained apartment with 3 single beds
All bedrooms have been completely refurbished to the highest standard of comfort and have:
en-suite facilities
telephone
free broadband access
The majority of rooms have magnificent views of the grounds and lake
Four rooms are designed for wheelchair users
Lift to the upper floors
Society Of African Missions (SMA)
The Society of African Missions is an international community of Catholic missionaries who serve the people of Africa and people of African origin around the world. The initials "SMA" stand for the name in Latin; Societas Missionum ad Afros.
In their home countries, SMA members promote the missionary dimension of the church through a variety of apostolic activities including work for African immigrants.
The Irish Province of the SMA has five Houses - two in Cork, one in Dublin, Claregalway and Dromantine in Co. Down.
In 2004 the original 19th century courtyard building was sensitively and completely renovated to provide additional conference rooms and facilities. The recently built "African Link" connects the main conference centre with the new facilities in the courtyard. It contains a display of beautiful African carvings and art which celebrate the skills of African artists from areas where the SMA work - highlighting the strong historical and present day links between Dromantine and Africa.