Choose Ireland » Castles

Belvedere House and Gardens

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:54:41 +0000

Located in a scenic area on the northeastern coast of Lough Ennel, this haunting estate was built by Richard Cassels in 1740 for its first occupant, the first earl of Belvedere, Robert Rochfort.
Rochfort married a woman named Mary Moleswoth, who disgraced him by carrying on an affair with Rochfort’s younger brother. After she bore his child, Robert placed her in another home owned by the family, where she remained behind locked doors for years, while her husband enjoyed the mansion and spent his time and money feuding with his family.
The result of one feud can still be seen as a castle ruin on the property that Rochfort built to obstruct the view of his neighboring brother’s estate. Other ‘follies’ were built by Rochfort on the property, including one called the Jealous Wall that remains the largest in Ireland.
The main house also served as a hunting and fishing lodge and is now entered using the servant’s door. The interior features lovely rococo plasterwork ceilings with extraordinary cornices and a variety of Palladian and bow windows looking out over spectacular parkland views.
Belvedere House is situated on 160 acres that include woodlands and beautiful gardens, as well as a lake with several islands. Ninian Nevin designed the charming walled garden in 1857. It is renowned across Ireland for its collection of exotic plants. Visitors can ride a tram through the grounds to experience a wealth of natural beauty. The property also features a children’s playground, animal reserve and coffee shop.

Mullingar

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:51:57 +0000

Mullingar is County Westmeath’s largest and most important town. The area is historically famous as a centre for beef production and trade, much of it supplied by the many cattle farms in the surrounding countryside.
The Irish expression “beef to the ankle, like a Mullingar heifer,” a polite reference to an overweight woman, originated here. The town is located along the Royal Canal, between Lough Ennel and Lough Owel.
Mullingar is an ideal base from which to visit the lush countryside of County Meath, and contains some interesting buildings, including the Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King, a Renaissance style church that features beautiful mosaics of St. Anne and St. Patrick created by Boris Anrep, a prominent Russian artist. Most of the buildings in this charming town date back to the 19th century.

Athlone Castle and Visitors Centre

Brian — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:45:46 +0000

Built in 1210 by the Bishop of Norwich, John de Gray, the castle was commissioned by King John of England. For a period of time in the 16th century, Athlone Castle accommodated the Presidents of Connacht. The complex was attacked and severely damaged during the first Siege of Athlone (1690) and also the second siege in 1691.
The Castle at Athlone was extensively fortified during the Napoleonic years. It is now a national monument, after serving for centuries as a renowned military barracks.
The modern visitor centre is located in the guardhouse, offering tourist information and a wide variety of souvenirs in its charming shop. The walls of the castle that survive from medieval times are enclosed in glass to preserve their integrity.
A tour of the exhibitions might include an introduction to Athlone and the Castle itself, as well as a dramatic audiovisual presentation that recounts the story of the Siege of Athlone.
Exhibits focus on John McCormack, also known as Count McCormack, who lived from 1184 to 1945. He was a famous tenor from Athlone, and his life and performances are presented in short film. Various personal items, including his gramophone, sit on display at the museum.
Military history is explained from the viewpoint of the Irish Army as a peacekeeping force for a period of nearly 300 years. One display includes models of soldiers dressed in authentic uniforms that once walked the streets of Athlone, which was long regarded as a prominent military town.
A local history section, located in the polygon-shaped keep, houses extensive natural history exhibits of animal and plant life along the River Shannon. Other exhibits include information about archaeological finds in the Shannon Basin and a short history of transportation and hydroelectric power production along the river.
A tearoom containing an art gallery is a relaxing and esthetically pleasing place for visitors to relax and take a break from their travels. Views from points all around the castle are noteworthy, as well as guns from the 18th century that still outfit the fortress.

Strabane

Brian — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 16:45:59 +0000

Strabane is one of the larger towns in County Tyrone, rich in history and natural beauty. Its Irish name is an Straith Bhan, which translates into Fair River Valley, or White Strand.
The town includes two castles that were built and occupied around strange circumstances. Ogilby’s Castle was intended as the home of James Ogilby, but he decided to forego the family fortune for love of a girl who worked at a local factory. The regal home, built in 1860, was never occupied by the couple, which eloped and moved away to Derry.
Earl’s Gift Castle was begun in 1629 by Sir John Drummond in anticipation of his wedding to a French lady, but he died in a mishap at sea, and his wedding gift castle was never completed. It remains in its unfinished state to this day.
Also found in the Strabane area are the 14th century O’Neill castle known as Harry Avery’s Castle, and a ruin at Newtonstewart called Turlough’s Castle.
Strabane offers various cultural events throughout the year. The educational American Trail Tour traces the regional origins of prominent Irish-Americans, including James Knox Polk, who became the eleventh president of the United States. The tour passes through Polk’s ancestral home, which features a walled garden created in the 1700’s, a tearoom and a craft shop that displays the works of local artisans.
The American Trail Tour also includes the abode of Woodrow Wilson’s grandfather James. The president’s grandfather lived in this traditional thatched cottage, now open for public viewing.
An unforgettable feature in the town is the collection of five steel figures known by locals as the Tinneys. They stand 20 feet tall and were designed by Maurice Harron and erected at the border with Donegal on the site of what was once a British army base. There are two dancers, a flute player, a drummer and a fiddler.
During the period from the 1970s into the 1990s, Strabane was the location of many bombings, riots and attacks related to the Troubles. The permanent military presence of past decades is no longer necessary.

Ballytarsna Castle

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:54:17 +0000

This tower house survives from the late 15th century. It is located just north of the town of Cashel, and is undergoing extensive restoration by traditional Irish methods.
The Tipperary School of Stonemasonry is also located here.

Roscommon Castle

Brian — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 10:39:16 +0000

To the north of Roscommon Town sits this Norman Castle, built in 1269. The Irish forces destroyed it in 1273, and rebuilt it shortly afterwards.
Built and originally occupied by Robert de Ufford, Lord Justice of Ireland, the castle was passed on to families of the surnames O’Conor and O’Kelly before it was taken by Cromwellian forces in 1652.
The remains of Roscommon Castle today include an entrance gate flanked by two large towers. It has rounded corners, bastions, and a series of mullioned windows. Other buildings located on the grounds were added after 1578 by occupant Sir Nicholas Malby, who also altered and renovated the original castle building.

Charleville Forest Castle

Brian — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:31:27 +0000

Located near the town of Tullamore, Charleville Castle is nestled among the huge and ancient oak trees that were once held sacred by the Druids. The building site was originally home to the Lynally monastic community, which existed as a part of the Durrow settlement.
By the 1500s, the site was no longer ecclesiastical in nature, but used as a plantation settlement for the Moores. This thickly wooded acreage at the very centre of Ireland has been occupied through generational succession until the late 19th century.
The castle itself, Ireland’s premier example of Gothic Revival architecture, was a work in progress from 1798 until it was completed in 1812. It was designed and erected in the style of a “tin soldier fortress” partly to commemorate Cornwallis’s victory over French revolutionary forces that had made their way into the Irish midlands.
From 1912 until 1971, the unoccupied castle fell victim to the ravages of time. The years that followed the war for independence and the accompanying economic difficulties reduced the structure to a nearly roofless, ruined condition by 1968. The restoration and renovation work that was begun in 1971 by Michael Mc Mullin continued under the supervision of Constance Heavey Seaquist and Bonnie Vance.
The castle is open to the public and is currently funded by a charitable trust under the direction of Dudley Stuart. It occupies 30 acres of land that includes gardens as well as densely wooded areas. The castle building was designed by Francis Johnston, and Charles Bury was the original owner. Johnston was responsible for several classic Georgian buildings in Dublin, including the General Post Office.
The exterior of the building is dominated by stately turrets and a flag tower, and features many mullioned windows. A large window located above the main entrance is the focal point of the façade. Inside, the rooms are gigantic, including the dining room designed by William Morris that still bears its original stenciled wallpaper. The estate also includes a small outbuilding that resembles a gothic chapel and actually houses the kitchen and storage area. The stable yard is located just beyond this building.
Lord Byron visited Charleville Forest Castle often and it is said that he held many parties here.
The castle grounds are now the object of a massive restoration project that, when finished, will clear the area of overgrowth, discern the original plantings from the old English flower garden, and design and build new garden and relaxation areas for visitors. Volunteers are on hand to do this work from UK, France, the USA and Canada. They also assist in the regular maintenance of the property.
The house and the surrounding grounds are said to be haunted by Druids and past occupants of the castle. It has been featured on several television programmes, including Most Haunted and Scariest Places on Earth.
The huge staircase is reportedly visited often by the ghost of a young girl named Harriet, who was killed accidentally while sliding down the balustrade. Visitors have felt the chill of her presence while climbing the stairs, and have seen her ghostly figure skipping past. Sometimes, she is seen in the company of a small boy.
Another haunting, reported by Bonnie Vance, included an early morning visitation of the ghosts of Charles Bury and Francis Johnston, accompanied by a large group of Druids. They appeared to be invoking a blessing upon Bonnie as she lay in her bed. Also, disembodied voices of two men have been heard as they spent the evening drinking at the castle, as well as children’s voices and shrieks in the empty playroom.
Many of the visitors that arrive are paranormal experts, investigating the reports of various hauntings. People also come to attend a diverse range of events that includes plays, shows and auctions.
Many ancient oak trees line the driveway. One of the largest is referred to as “King Oak”. Legend says that a member of the Charleville family has died every time the tree lost a branch to weather or old age. Colonel Charles Howard Bury died in May of 1963 – two weeks after the tree was nearly destroyed by a lightning strike.

Timahoe

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:51:43 +0000

St. Mochua, who is said to have died in 657, began the monastic community at Timahoe. The 96 foot high round tower is the only surviving evidence of any religious community that operated on the site. It dates back to the twelfth century, and is one of the largest in the country, as well as the biggest in diameter.
The Round Tower has a very attractive Romanesque doorway, situated far enough above the ground that the use of binoculars is necessary to view the intricate details of the carvings. Visible images include figures of heads with interwoven hair.
Sketchy historical writings refer to a church being built on the site in around 1056 and an extreme shortage of monks, with the original order dissolving. In the twelfth century, monks returned to the site.
After the suppression period, the land at Timahoe was given to Sir Thomas Loftus, then to the Cosby family who converted the church into a castle.

Ballaghmore Castle

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:49:01 +0000

Built in 1480 by the MacGillpatricks (Fitzpatricks) of Ossory, the castle was conveniently located on the Bealach Mor, or the road to Munster. It was attacked by the Cromwellians and severely ravaged in 1647.
Ownership of Ballaghmore Castle later passed to the Coote family, who later leased the fortress to the Elys. Richard Ely made a substantial discovery of gold treasure on the property. He used the money to begin renovations of the distressed castle during the 1830’s, which were not completed before an angry tenant shot him to death, depriving him of the opportunity to ever take residence in the renovated castle.
For many years, Ballaghmore Castle, which is situated on 30 peaceful acres, was used as a granary. In 1990, the castle was purchased and restored to much of its former glory. Noteworthy features include the spectacular views from its battlements and a rare sheela-na-gig, a stone carved pagan fertility symbol used to turn away evil spirits.
Ballaghmore Castle offers guided tours to visitors as well as rental for dinners and parties. Also located on the grounds – a guesthouse that dates back to the 16th century and offers bed and breakfast accommodations, and picturesque Rose Cottage, also rented out visitors.

Portlaoise

Brian — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 09:48:07 +0000

The largest town and county seat of County Laois, Portlaoise was formerly called Fort of Maryborough, and founded in 1556 by Queen Mary. The town’s name was officially changed to Portlaoise, which in Gaelic means “Fort of Laois,” in 1922.
The name is derived from the town’s historical reputation as the fortress or protector of the surrounding area. Portlaoise is widely known as home to a huge maximum-security prison that housed several very high profile members of the IRA in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
The Laois Heritage Trail begins here, featuring 13 popular heritage sites that can be visited by driving the scenic rural roads that crisscross the county.
Portlaoise often serves as a centre for vacationers who have come to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Irish Midlands. The area offers much in the way of outdoor activity, including spectacular fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails and golf venues.
The main street is under extensive development, and has become a gathering place filled with pubs and restaurants. The Dunamaise Arts Centre is housed within an old jail, and features ongoing exhibits of the visual arts, as well as theatrical productions and concerts.
The defensive nature of historic Portlaoise can still be seen in the remains of old walls scattered around the area, as well as a surviving round tower.