The President’s Run

Lissan House has always been a place where visitors are made welcome. Thanks to the determination and ingenuity of Hazel Marion Radclyffe Dolling this is still true today. Determined to preserve the Staples family’s legacy, she founded a charitable organisation, the Friends of Lissan Trust, in 1997.

Well done to our President Norman Neill for choosing a remarkable and memorable venue for this years President's Run.  Lissan House, just outside Cookstown, is an enchanting country residence set within a 250 acre demesne of ancient woodland and forestry.  The estate was created in the 17th century and remained the home of the Staples family for nearly 400 years, reputedly the longest habitation by any single family of a country house in West Ulster.  John Staples would have been extremely proud of his great, great grandson.  A certain author , CS Lewis, who used the names of many of the places that he remembered from his childhood at Lissan House. 

Following an extensive redevelopment, the estate opened its doors in spring 2012, unveiling modern interactive exhibits alongside original family furnishings.  We were privileged, Norman had arranged that we should have to have two friendly and extremely knowledgeable tour guides.  We were taken on a unique journey through the history of the estate and the fascinating characters who shaped it.  The stunning demesne also features a wooded picnic area where we had a pleasant 'bring your own' picknick before the tour started.  The house has a vibrant walled garden and a range of secluded walking trails to explore.  The estate is managed by an independent trust, surprisingly without government aid, and run by a dedicated team of volunteers, including our expert guides.  Lissan House is the culmination of 400 years of construction activities initiated by Thomas Staples in about 1620.  In the centuries that followed, the house was adapted or extended on a number of occasions.  The final addition, during the late 19th century, was the porte-cochere, a coach-gate or carriage porch, which is illustrated above.

Members of the Staples family were a constant presence at Lissan for almost 400 years through times of poverty and prosperity, conflict and peace. Throughout this period Lissan House underwent many changes. Some of these were driven by fashion and changing tastes in architecture, but most were motivated by personal preferences and practical requirements.

Following the death of Mrs Hazel Radcliffe Dolling in 2006, chatelaine of Lissan House and last of the Staples at Lissan, the Lissan House Trust has continued with the work of raising finance to restore Lissan House and the estate.  Hazel established The Trust to carry on the work of revitalizing the estate as a place to visit, work and live.
Our final run of  2026 and what a great way to finish the season.  Local history and culture with a great show, as usual, of well turned out mature vehicles. 

To round the day off nicely we made our way to Portglenone to what is now becoming one of our favourite venues, The Wild Duck. We have been very fortunate this year with great choices of after run meals. Today was no exception, the meal was superb and the surroundings did us proud.

Many thanks to Norman and family for a great day out.