KNAPPOGUE CASTLE
Knappogue, County Clare

Sean MacNamara built Knappogue Castle in 1467. Since that time, Knappogue has seen centuries of history. It wasn't until 1571 when the castle became the clan seat of the MacNamara's, the Earls of West Clancullen.

In 1641, Donagh MacNamara lead a rebellion which lead to the clan retaining the castle until 1659 when it was confiscated by Cromwell's parliament. It was then granted to Arthur Smith, one of Cromwell's supporters. Once the Monarchy was restored in England in 1670, when Charles II reclaimed the throne, Knappogue was return to the MacNamara's.

The clan eventually sold the castle in 1800 to a family called Scott who carried out major restoration and extension work, which also included a 1.76 acre walled garden. By 1855, the castle was acquired by Lord Dunboyne who continued the restoration work.

By 1916, the castle had been abandoned and was used by revolutionary forces to store weapons and house soldiers.

By the 1920s, Knappogue was owned by a local farmer who let the castle fall into disrepair.

It was in 1966 that the Honorably Mark Edwin Andrews and his wife, a noted American architect, purchased the castle and surrounding land. Soon, the Andrews' worked in collaboration with Shannon Development to restore the castle to its 15th century glory. The Andrews remained in residence until Shannon Heritage purchased the estate outright in 1996 with the intention of preserving this testament to Ireland's late medieval history, including some lovely Elizabethan fireplaces.

The walled garden has also been restored to its former splendor, which includes climbing roses, grapevines and several varieties of clematis. The garden is a lovely sanctuary for wildlife and garden lovers alike.

The private apartments once resided in by the Andrews have now been tastefully restored and are now available to guests on a self-catering basis. Accommodation includes a formal drawing room with fireplace and baby grand piano, formal dining room with fireplace, five bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and a fully fitted kitchen.

The public areas in the castle are open to the public from April through September and includes a medieval styled banquet Wednesday through Sunday evenings. The banquet features storytelling in the old style and live musical entertainment and traditional dancing.

Knappogue Castle Whiskey

It was during the time when the Andrews owned Knappogue Castle that they developed an affinity for collecting casks of fine Irish whiskey. It wasn't long before the family amassed and impressive collection of rare pure pot still whiskey primarily produced at the B. Daly Distillery. When the whiskey reached its peak, it was then bottled and named as Knappogue Castle 1951. Today, this whiskey is the oldest and rarest Irish whiskey in the world.

In recent years, Mark Andrews III has built the Knappogue Whiskey into a global brand, supplying the market with Irish whiskey made in the traditional pot still method.

~ Free car parking available
~ Fee paying attraction
~ access limited to lower levels and gardens
~ Medieval Banquets
~ State Room apartments

http://www.shannonheritage.com/Attractions/KnappogueCastleWalledGarden

http://www.knappoguewhiskey.com