charleville forest castle

A letter from Lady Louisa Conolly of Castletown House to Lady Charleville (or Lady Tullamore as she then was) states " I am very glad to hear that you have begun your castle, for I think that there are few occupations more entertaining than building, and Lord Tullamore, I am sure, will enjoy it much, having planned it all himself."

Charleville Forest Castle is the finest and most spectacular early 19th century castle in Ireland, and the Gothic masterpiece of Francis Johnston. Designed in 1798, it took 12 years to complete. The interior is as well finished as the fine limestone exterior. The gallery which runs the entire length of the garden wall is considered to be one of the finest gothic Revival rooms in the country. The plaster work is superb. The drawingroom and dining room on either side of the great stairway are of nobel proportions. The chapel, which is entered through a hidden doorway in the library, is in need of repair as are the magnificent stable buildings. The present owners, the Vance, Heavey-Alagna family have begun a restoration of this "fairy tale castle."

Situated on the southern outskirts of Tullamore (approx. 1 km).