CHARLEVILLE CASTLE
Tullamore, County Offaly

Before Charleville Castle, also called Charleville Forest Castle, there had always been a presence in the forest. The castle is situated in Ireland's most ancient primordial oak woods and was once the haunting grounds of druids. This forest is one of the biggest and oldest in Ireland. Historical data shows the ancient monastic site of Lynally was here in the 6th century, which was part of the larger Durrow monastic settlement.

By the mid-16th century, the lands were ruled by the O'Moore clan, who were descendants of colonized British most likely in Elizabethan times. The title laps in 1764 when a direct heir to the line could not be established. The lands were eventually inherited by Charles William Bury, who was just six months old. He was the grandnephew of the last Earl. He was created Baron Tullamoore in 1797 after having amassed considerable wealth. The name Tullamore is derived from the Irish Tulach Mhór, which translates to Big Hill or Big Mound, which is located in the area.

Charleville Castle as it is today was built in the Gothic style between 1798 and 1812, a product of Charles's overactive imagination. What began with a few drawings in 1798 grew to grandiose proportions. Architect Francis Johnston was a leading architect at the time and was hired to draw up proper designs for the castle. Johnston was also responsible for designing the GPO in Dublin and the Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle, and he was one of

the architects who redesigned Sackville Street (now O'Connel Street). The construction of the castle took fourteen years.

The castle had been abandoned from time to time, as the owners had often lived beyond their means, and the extravagant nature of the construction of the castle sapped their accounts quickly. However, each time the castle was reopened it was usually marked by a flamboyant spending spree, including engaging the talents of William Morris, who designed the ceiling in the dining room.

It's believed that Charleville was the inspiration behind other similar castles built around Ireland, such as Ardgillan Castle in north County Dublin and Rossburough House in north County Wicklow.

The castle was abandoned in 1912 and through the War for Independence. By 1968, the roof had been removed and the house was quickly becoming part of what's known as "Vanishing Ireland." In 1971, Michael McMullen came into possession of the castle and began restoration works. Eventually the castle passed into the hands of Constance Heavey Seaquist and Bonnie Vance. Soon after, a charitable trust was formed to help with the restoration of the castle and grounds, though the castle itself is owned by American Bridget Vance.

The Charleville Castle Heritage Trust, a registered charity, is managed by Dudley Stewart. While he's managing director of the trust, the day-to-day restoration works are carried out by volunteers who come from countries from all over the world, including America, Canada, France and the UK, as well as Ireland.

The castle is also reputed to be one of the most haunted castles in Ireland. The main towers of the castle are said to be located over "ley lines," which dowsers can locate. Ley lines, in New Age terms, reflect intersecting point that are believed to resonate a special psychic or mystical energy.

The castle has appeared on many programs, including Living TV's Most Haunted, the Fox Network's/ABC Family's Scariest Places on Earth, which was hosted by Linda Blair of The Exorcist, and appeared on Ghost Hunters International. The castle was also used in the filming of Becoming Jane (2007, starring Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy) and Northanger Abbey (2007 TV movie, starring Geraldine James and Michael Judd). Most recently, the castle featured in Ghost Hunters International: Castle of the Damned (2008). As well, numerous paranormal investigators and psychics have also visited the castle. Guests staying in the castle have reported strange goings-on.

Some of the reported paranormal going-on include hearing the laughter of children in the nursery. One of them is responsible for having locked Bridget's daughter, Kate, in a dark cupboard in the playroom.

Also, visitor Richard Hayes reported being kept awake one night when he heard two Englishmen having a conversation in the room he was sleeping in. The lights were on, but Hayes didn't see anyone else in the room with him.

The ghosts of Charles William Bury and Francis Johnston have also been seen at the castle. Bonnie Vance reported being awakened early one morning to see them walking across her bedroom, along with a group of people which included a little girl and a woman in a black hood. A group of what she thought were about 17 "monks and druids" circled her bed and made motions as if to bless her.

The most dramatic of the specters in the castle is that of a little girl in a blue dress. She's seen on the great, winding staircase, known as the Great Stairs, in the family wing of the castle. The girl is thought to be young Harriet who was sent upstairs one day to wash her hands. On her return down stairs, she was playing on the balustrade when she lost her balance and fell to her death. It's not uncommon for people walking down the stairs to feel a cold draught. Some have also reported seeing her. The ghost of a boy of about three years is sometimes with her. At one time, Bridget's son went missing and this boy appeared to help located him. He was found sitting on the bottom step of the Great Stairs. He said he was being looked after by a girl and boy until he could be found.

Charleville Castle has seen many interesting characters, including Lord Byron, who held many parties here. In the late 1960s, Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull came here with their friends for long weekends of rock and roll craziness. It was around this time that many of the rooms had been repainted in loud, brash colors. The current owners have spent untold amounts of money just stripping the paint off the original woodwork.

Visitors to the castle can enjoy a wonderful guided tour, often led by Bridget herself. Visitors will see the Great Stairs, the Great Room, the William Morris Dining Room, the Morning Room, the Red Room, the Library, and other rooms. Rooms feature original architecture, impressive stucco and plaster work, stained glass windows, hand turned woodwork and more.

Around the grounds, visitors can see the gardens, which are also in a state of restoration, and the chapel ruins. Ask about the secret meetings of the Free Masons and the secret passage to their meeting room behind the chapel.

Photography is usually allowed in the house, but be sure to ask first out of respect, as the castle is also a personal residence.

In 2005, the World Sheep Dog Trials were held on castle grounds. The event took place over three days and saw dogs and their handlers from all over the world. This show was part of a traditional country show, which included a livestock show, tractor show, craft show, vendors

Charleville Castle also runs the Quest Campus. Quest Campus is novel international university which is being established in Ireland as a springboard into Europe. Quest Campus is novel in that:

• It's an outreach center for a growing number of universities.
• It emphasizes international skill and balanced inter-cultural relationships in all of it's disciplines, ranging from Liberal Arts to Medicine.
• It specializes in modern action learning and experiential learning systems, reflecting best practices in the workplace and real-life laboratory experience.
• It provides the right environment and supports to bring out and enhance the natural leadership and teamwork abilities of the individual students.
• It intends to reflect real world trends by pioneering new and more effective inter-university cooperation at the international level.

~ Pay attraction
~ Parking available
~ Moderately accessible. Guided house tour only, with some narrow halls, stairs, etc. Outside grounds are uneven, wish some areas undergoing restoration. Some areas still in complete ruin, such as the stables.

http://www.charlevillecastle.com

http://quest-university.eu

World Sheep Dog Trials 2005