Some Irish castles are still revealing their secrets! The proof is in Ireland’s Johnstown Castle, where a secret chamber has just been discovered. According to historians, it’s over 800 years old!
An unexpected discovery has just been made. While a carpenter was carrying out conservation work in the château, he uncovered a tiny, previously unknown chamber. Located in a turret, it was discovered while the workman was drilling several holes in a wall.
Historians believe it to be a room in one of the château’s turrets. It is said to have been walled up centuries ago, leaving it in a remarkable state.
But why has it been closed for so long?
Johnstown Castle director Brenda Comerford took the opportunity to speculate:
This room has been covered up for a very long time. It is part of one of the towers and looking around it, on initial inspection we think it was most likely a small turret bedroom. There is quite a tragic family history associated with Johnstown Castle, so this room could have been sealed off due to a tragedy, which would have happened in times past, who knows? We will need to investigate this further.
For the time being, it’s up to the Irish Heritage Trust, which manages the historic tourist site, to carry out the investigation in order to better understand the history of this mysterious chamber.
Perhaps this chamber will become an upcoming attraction at Johnstown Castle, but the researchers have indicated that they will take the time necessary to better assess the situation and the historical richness of this discovery.
This is a really incredible discovery. said Anne O’Donoghue, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust. It is highly unusual to find additional hidden treasures in heritage properties and this is the second time that this has happened at Johnstown castle following our discovery of a secret room under the tower at the lake just last year.
As a reminder, this first discovery, made in 2022, revealed the existence of a room beneath the lakeside tower. Access was only possible by boat.
Since then, Johnstown Castle still seems to hold many secrets. The latter has a particularly rich history. Built in the 12th century before being completely rebuilt in the 19th century, the building’s remarkable neo-Gothic style attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The existence of this new secret chamber could well lead to new attendance records!
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