Part 5: Sites of later
historical interest (post 1580 AD)
Chapter
52: Dromoland Castle (i.e. House)
DROMOLAND CASTLE (i.e. House)
Location Nat. Grid Ref. R390704; ½” Sheet 17.
| Townland : | Dromoland |
| Parish (R.C.) : | Newmarket-on-Fergus |
| Civil Parish : | Kilnasoolagh |
| 6” O.S. Sheet number : | 42, Co. Clare |
| Reference : | 21.3 cm South; 34.2 cm West |
| 1” O.S. Sheet number : | 133 (Sixmilebridge) |
Photo 1: Distant shot of Dromoland
Castle, from the North-West across Dromoland Lough
This “Castle” was built by the O’Briens (Lord Inchiquin), in the 1830 period, on the site of a large early eighteenth century house which was levelled to make way for the present structure. James and George Richard Pain drew up the plans and gave the house a castle appearance (See photograph 1 and 2). The castle is dominated by two corner towers, one round and one square, both of them heavily battlemented and machicolated (Photograph 2). The site has an elaborate square entrance hall, again in the fortified style (Photograph 3). The Castle is elaborately decorated throughout and is especially noted for its collection of seventeenth – eighteenth century portraits.
Dromoland Castle is now a hotel having been sold in 1962 by the 16th Lord Inchiquin.
REFERENCES
Malins and The Knight of Glin, 1976, pages
22 and 23.
|
Bence-Jones, 1978, pages 109 and 110 (see below).
(This book contains five black and white photographs of Dromoland, including
three of the site’s interior. These show the dining room, long
gallery and Keightley room).
Photo 2: Dromoland Castle, shot showing entrance
area to the North-East
Photo 3: Dromoland Castle, close up of North-Eastern entrance area
