Lismore Castle
- Klasifikace
- Hrad
- Země
- Irsko
- Region
- County Waterford
- Adresa
- Lismore
- Období / styl
- Victorian castle with medieval foundations
Guarding a strategic bridge over the River Blackwater and dominating the town, Lismore Castle in County Waterford has been occupied continuously since the twelfth century. Prince John's fortification became a palace for medieval bishops, most notably Myler MacGrath, who served as both Catholic and Protestant bishop before becoming the first Protestant Archbishop of Cashel. MacGrath sold the episcopal estates and castle to Sir Walter Raleigh, the Elizabethan courtier and explorer, who amassed a 42,000-acre estate spanning Waterford and Cork borders including Cappoquin, Lismore and Youghal. Raleigh later sold his Irish holdings to Sir Richard Boyle for £1,500. Boyle arrived in Ireland in 1588 with modest personal possessions but exceptional business acumen. He became the "Great Earl" of Cork by 1620 and eventually served as Lord Treasurer of Ireland. His thirteen surviving children with his second wife established a major dynasty producing generals, admirals, architects, inventors, mathematicians, philosophers, scientists and writers. Cork rebuilt Lismore Castle, connecting corner towers with gabled ranges forming a strong house with central courtyard and fortified gatehouse. Principal family apartments perched on cliffs above the River Blackwater. The castle withstood a 1642 Confederate siege but fell after Cork's death, later being restored following the Restoration period. Charlotte, great-great-granddaughter of Boyle and wife of the 4th Duke of Devonshire, inherited Lismore in 1748, establishing it as the Devonshire family's Irish residence. The 6th Duke commissioned William Atkinson for initial river range restoration, followed by Sir Joseph Paxton's ambitious Victorian improvements. Paxton rebuilt three courtyard sides in castle style using imported Derbyshire stone and converted the bishops' chapel into a banqueting hall decorated by Crace and Pugin. The castle remains the home of William Burlington, son of the present duke. Seventeenth century gardens beneath the ramparts have been authentically restored. House, gallery and gardens open March to September, with overnight accommodation, a gallery and museum, and available as a film location.
Raúl Corral / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0