Lismore Castle is a superb Irish castle in County Waterford. Owned by the Duke of Devonshire, it was renovated from top to bottom in the 19th century, and boasts over 800 years of history… A fascinating place, transformed into a luxury retreat for travellers with… well-filled wallets!
Lismore castle – Caitlin – cc
The castle’s history dates back to 1588, when a wealthy British man named Richard Foyle landed in Ireland.
A newly-rich man, he bought the castle grounds and transformed the site by building a castle, a courtyard and a crenellated defensive wall with a sentry box. The apartments are sumptuous, with magnificent plaster ceilings, tapestries, hangings and period furniture.
It was here in 1627 that Robert Boyle, father of modern chemistry and the fourteenth of the Count’s fifteen children, was born.
Over the generations, the castle was handed down from father to son, until 1645, when it was devastated by the Cromwellian period. A Catholic confederation led by Lord Castlehaven destroyed a large part of the building. Restoration work was then undertaken by Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Cork (1612-1698) to make the building habitable again.
The castle’s current architectural style was only developed in the 19th century, by the 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790-1858). By 1811, he was committed to transforming the château into a Gothic feudal style. He hired the architect William Atkinson (1812-1822) for the project, and imported cut stone from Derbyshire. In 1850, he hired another architect, Sir Joseph Paxton, the designer of Crystal Palace, to make significant improvements to the castle. What’s more, the old ruined abbey, present long before the château, has been renovated into a grandiose banqueting hall.
Since then, the château’s appearance has hardly changed. The owners occasionally live in private apartments in the château, but have made the rest of the building available for event rentals. The château can also be rented out for receptions and weddings! One room has even been transformed into a contemporary art gallery (the “Lismore Castle Arts”).
Lismore Castle is located on the banks of the Blackwater River, and linked by a bridge. You can visit its sumptuous gardens and contemporary sculptures.
You’ll find sculptures by great artists such as Anthony Gormley, Marzia Colonna and Eilis O’Connell. The garden is quiet and beautiful!
As for the castle, unfortunately you’ll have to pay a high price for the privilege of visiting its interior. Stays of at least 2 days can be booked, allowing you to dine in the famous banqueting hall and sleep in sumptuous medieval bedrooms, decorated with silk tapestries and paintings by great artists!
Exceptional luxury that will delight all lovers of medieval castles!
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