Ballylean House was owned by the family of Daniel O’Connell, the liberator. It was the headquarters of his local estate. Its last occupant, and perhaps its most flamboyant, was the larger-than-life John Charles Coppinger O’Connell born on the 19 October 1871 and who changed his name to Bianconi. As the most famous resident of the Lack School area, it is worthwhile to record a summary of his life.

His granduncle was Daniel O’Connell, the liberator and his grandfather was Charles Bianconi, the Italian immigrant who established the stagecoach transport system throughout Ireland in the early nineteenth century. His father was Morgan John O’Connell, MP for County Kerry. His parents resided at Ballylean House where John grew up. He visited his grandfather Charles Bianconi at Longfield House in Tipperary on holidays from time to time. His grandfather took a particular liking to the child in view of his strong resemblance to the Bianconi family in Italy. On his death in September 1875, Charles Bianconi willed his residence, Longfield House, and substantial funds to his grandson, to be held in trust. On the death of his mother in 1908, John O’Connell changed his name to Bianconi by deed poll, fulfilling a condition of his grandfather’s will.

The following points give an outline of the person and his impact on the area:

• He had a great interest in engineering and science. He installed a corn mill and dairy at Ballylean. He had his own electric generator and telephone system.
• He purchased the first car in County Clare. The registration number was IE 1. It is understood to be still in existence, probably held by a collector.
• He purchased the first tractor powered by a steam engine. He planned to operate a service between Kildysart and Ennis for the transport of goods. On its maiden voyage to Ennis, a local named Jackie Casey led the tractor on horseback, carrying a red flag. Due to a total lack of crowd control, a child was crushed to death. It is understood that Bianconi compensated the family of the child. He abandoned the idea of the transport service soon afterwards.
• He operated a shipping service between Kildysart, Kilrush and Limerick and had three boats on the Shannon named The Baron Joss, the S.S Shamrock and the S.S. Turk.
• He had a railway system at Lacknashanagh, complete with signal boxes from 1910 to 1928 and operators in uniform.
• The farms at Ballylean and Lacknashanagh were a hive of activity by the turn of the century, with up to 30 staff.
• He was a Justice of the Peace and for a time High Sheriff.

Bianconi was a very large man. It is understood that he reached 26 stone at one time.
He married Anabella Bourke Hayes, the daughter of his first cousin, and they had 4 daughters − Molly, Una, Mabel and Helen. The marriage broke down and his wife and children moved to Longfield House in Tipperary.

Many of Bianconi’s staff were past pupils of Lack School. His right-hand man was Jack Sheehan from Tonlegee, who had registered at the school in 1874, while his ploughman, Michael Hill, had registered at the school in 1876.

Bianconi was a generous man and an excellent employer. In his time Kildysart prospered, supporting 16 pubs. By the 1920s, Bianconi had spent all of his funds and the estate went into decline. Eventually, Lacknashanagh was acquired by the Land Commission and divided among the local farmers.
Bianconi, reflecting his generosity, divided Ballylean among his workmen. He left Longfield House to his estranged wife and family. He died on 14 October 1929 at 58 years of age, choking while eating a sausage. His remains were laid to rest with those of his famous grandfather at Boherlahan, which is located between Cashel and Holycross, County Tipperary. Following his death, Ballylean House was unoccupied and deteriorated to a ruin in a short period of time.

Today, the water tower is all that remains of Ballylean House.