Athcarne Castle is an Irish castle located near the village of Duleek in County Meath. Built in Elizabethan style, it’s in pretty good condition, although it’s been falling into disrepair since the 1950s. A castle full of charm, a must-see if you love places steeped in history and legend!
Athcarne Castle was built in 1590 for William Bathe, an influential judge and member of a wealthy landowning family. The castle was then passed down through several generations, until it was confiscated from them after the English Civil War, for their loyalty to the English Crown. However, the Bathe family was able to reclaim the castle at the time of Charles II’s restoration.
Historically speaking, the castle is said to have served as lodgings for King James II of England, a few days before the Battle of the Boyne broke out in 1690.
However, the Bath family sold the château in 1700 to the Gernon family, who lived there until 1950 before abandoning it…
For the record, the castle has been the subject of many legends ever since, and many rumors agree that the site is haunted by spooky ghosts… Numerous accounts of sightings have been recorded by local residents.
Visits to the building are free of charge. The latter takes the form of a 4-storey manor house, with an additional 3-storey extension. A tower and turret were also added in the 1830s. The château is quite handsome and has a serious charm about it… especially in bad weather.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
south of Duleek, Duleek (County Meath) - Republic of Ireland
53.622016, -6.441320
30 minutes
