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Castle Durrow began its life in 1712 on the back end of the
Cromwellian and Williamite wars, a time when architecture in
Ireland no longer had the need for defensive structures. This
was a time when Protestant aristocracy was beginning to enjoy
the lands that they had "inherited." It was the Flower
family, the Barons of Castle Durrow and Viscounts Ashbrook,
who saw to the construction of this manor house, which is essentially
an oversized country house. It took three years to complete,
seeing the Flowers' taking taking up residency in 1716. They
continued to enlarge and improve the estate over the family's
214 year reign. It was in 1922, on the back end of another war,
that say the demise of this once great estate, when the banks
foreclosed. The Flowers were forced to return to England and
the property was subsequently sold to the Mahar family of Freshford
in County Kilkenny. They were primarily interested in the timber
grown on the estate, and sadly, by 1928, Durrow's hardwood forests
were all but extinct. The castle was again sold to the Parish
of Durrow and transformed into a private school, St. Fintan's
College and Convent. The castle was run as a school until the
most recent sale in 1998 when it was sold to the Stokes' family
and transformed into the luxury hotel it is today.
All bedrooms are en-suite and individually decorated with utmost
attention to detail, including large, sometimes posted beds,
ample in-room seating areas, and themed master suites. Views
of the surrounding estate from all windows. And guests are welcome
to wander around on the 30 acre estate, taking in the replanted
forest and woodland as well as the formal gardens. The hotel
boasts an award-winning restaurant which serves the best of
local produce. Don't be fooled. While set in opulent surroundings,
meals in the dining room are comfortable and relaxed. Views
into the formal gardens from large bay windows.
Visitor's should be wary that the estate has two ghosts in
residence. The White Lady is often seen at nightfall across
the river near the Obelisk. Captain Jeremiah Grant, also known
as the Highwayman, has also been seen skulking amongst the trees.
He once inhabited the forests here, where he was eventually
captured and hanged, and is said to have buried his loot here,
which has never been found!
A stay here will add some "wow!" into anyone's holiday.
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