Knappogue Castle
Knappogue Castle | |
---|---|
Caisleán na Cnapóige | |
Shannon Heritage | |
Open to the public | yes |
Site history | |
Built | 1467 |
Built by | Seán Mac Conmara (MacNamara) |
Knappogue Castle (Irish: Caisleán na Cnapóige[1]) is a tower house, built in 1467 and expanded in the mid-19th century, located in the parish of Quin, County Clare, Ireland. It has been restored and is open to guided tours.
History
The original castle was built in 1467 by Seán Mac Conmara (anglicised as MacNamara), son of Síoda Mac Conmara, and is a good example of a late medieval tower house. The castle's name translates as "castle of the place abounding in little hills".[1]
In 1571, the castle became the seat of the MacNamara (Mac Conmara) sept, the Earls of
Arthur Smith occupied the castle from 1659 to 1661. After the monarchy was
In 1855, the castle was acquired by Theobold Fitzwalter Butler, 14th Baron Dunboyne. It became the family seat of the Dunboyne family. They continued the restoration work of the Scotts, adding a drawing-room, the long room and a west wing, including the clock tower and the gateway.[1] The remodelling was done by architects James Pain and his brother George Richard Pain.[4]
During the
In 1927, Knappogue demesne was purchased by the
Their work returned much of the castle to its former 15th century state while encompassing and retaining later additions that chronicle the continuous occupation of the castle.[1] The Andrews later leased part of the castle to the Irish Government as a cultural and tourist facility for a nominal rent.[1]
Today
Shannon Development purchased the castle in 1996. Today, the castle is used as a venue for weddings and medieval banquets and offers guided tours.[2]
Dating from 1817, the 1.248-acre (0.505 ha) garden is now restored to its former state. The walls of the garden have been refurnished with climbing roses, grapevines and many varieties of clematis.[citation needed]
There is also a whiskey named "Knappogue Castle" produced by the Castle Brands company, currently bottling liquor produced by Bushmills.[6]: 200
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Quin, Places of Interest". Clare Library. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ a b "History of Knappogue Castle". Shannon Heritage. Archived from the original on 18 December 2017. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ "Landed estates database: Knappogue Castle". NUI Galway. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
- ^ a b "National Inventory of Architectural Heritage: Knappogue Castle". Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
- ^ Framed and Glazed photograph, East Clare Brigade
- ISBN 978-0-7513-4434-9.