Location: Newmarket-on-Fergus Map
Constructed: 19th century
Dromoland Castle is located in Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare in Ireland. It was constructed in the 19th century and today it is converted to hotel. The current building of the castle Dromoland castle was completed in 1835. It was built on the site of an ancient castle Dating back to the XV century. This historic castle was built by Thomas is the son of Shane Mac Anergen. There are at least three locks, at different times called the castle the Dromoland castle. Dromoland castle was once the seat of eight generations of clan O'brien chiefs. In addition, members of the Irish clan Mac Inernay lived in this castle in the XVI century.
In 1551 the castle the Dromoland castle belonged
to Morrow O'brien. He was the first chief of an Irish clan to
receive the title of Earl of Thomond from king Henry VIII of
England. Morrow O'brien bequeathed the castle Leamaneh his third son
Donoho Mack morrow O'brien. In addition to this castle, he
bequeathed him the castle and lands of Dromoland. In 1582, Donohue
Mac Murrow O'brien was accused by the English authorities of mutiny
and supporting the rebels. He was sentenced to death and hanged in
Limerick. All his possessions and castles were confiscated by the
crown of England. Dromoland castle was granted to the Sheriff, sir
George Cusack. But a few years later, Turlu O'brien killed Sheriff
Cusack. The clan O'brien tried to regain the castle the Dromoland
castle. The fourth Earl of Thomond claimed that the castle was
rightfully his and not Donohue's son Conor macdonough O'brien's.
In 1604, Conor O'brien died and bequeathed Dromoland castle to his
son Dono. Dono was then only 8 years old. His mother was Slaney
O'brien. A dispute began over the ownership of Dromoland castle
between Slaney O'brien and the IV Earl of Thomond. The dispute was
settled by arbitration in 1613. The Earl of Thomond, before Lord
Thomond, became the owner of the castle, but he was forced to pay
monetary compensation to Slaney O'brien. When Dono grew up, he
refused to stick to that agreement. In 1614, William Starkey leased
Dromoland castle from the Earl of Thomond. In 1628 Lord Thomond was
dead. Dono continued his legal proceedings in Dublin. In 1629, Dono
received a decree, according to which "all the estates, lands,
castles of his late father belong to him and he had to either
receive them as property or receive monetary compensation." But the
Earls of Thomond continued to own the castle and lands of dromolende
for another 50 years. The fifth Earl of Thomond decided to give Dono
other lands as compensation.
Robert Starkey-son of William Starkey had a residence at Dromoland
castle when the rebellion for Irish independence broke out in 1641.
Robert Starkey ran away. In 1642 the castle the Dromoland castle was
captured by Colonel Conor O'brien of Leamaneh — the son of Dono and
Maire Rua. The castle he had captured together with captain Mac
INERGEN — squad leader of the Irish rebels. Conor was killed in
battle in 1651. His eldest son Donah, born in 1642, had inherited
the castle Leamaneh and claimed the castle the Dromoland castle. In
addition, Donohue received possession of the land from his
half-brother, William O'neillan (1635-1678).
Robert Starkey renewed the lease of the castle in 1666 after the
restoration of the monarchy in England. Then castle the Dromoland
castle took in the sublease Colonel Daniel O'brien, of castle
Carrigaholt. Then, three years later, Thomas Woollcott of Moyhill
lived in the castle. Finally, in 1684, the castle became the
property of Donohue O'brien. However, Donah lived mainly in the
castle of Leamaneh.
Different residents, visitors and guests of the castle Dromoland
castle wrote about it in his notes. Sir Donohue I baronet O'brien,
who died in 1717, wrote of the castle that it was "a fine building
in the Greek style". Donohue's son, Lucius O'brien, also died in
1717. He had a son, Edward, who became II baronet O'brien. He
decorated the castle with paintings and bas-reliefs. He also built
the project for the construction of a castle Dromoland castle.
Thomas Roberts and John Aeron presented the drafts and drawings for
the reconstruction of the castle and gardens of Dromoland castle.
John Aeron was the architect who designed the final design of the
castle and manor house. He also developed the design of the gazebo
on the hill Tarret hill. This arbor was built to observe the
breaking of horses. Castle Dromoland castle was enlarged to ten
bays. Construction of the two-story quadrangle was completed in
1736. Edward O'brien died in 1765.
In 1795, the "gentleman's Magazine" wrote about castle Dromoland:
"Noble and beautiful estate-the residence of the baronet sir Lucius
O'brien, located in the County of Clare. Stands on a hill that rises
slowly from the lake. The 24-acre estate is set in a forest. Three
picturesque hills rising there, some of them offer views of the
river Fergus and the Shannon...»
Edward O'brien had a son, Lucius O'brien. He became the 3rd baronet
O'brien. He died in 1794 and inherited the castle to his son, Edward
O'brien IV baronet O'brien. Edward decided to rebuild the castle. In
1821, Edward's brother, Robert's son, George O'brien, was born in
the castle. Reconstruction of the castle began in 1822 and cost more
than 50 000-a huge amount of money at the time. The Payne brothers
proposed to erect classical structures, but Edward O'brien decided
to build the castle in the neo-Gothic style, influenced by the ideas
of John Nash. James and George Richard Payne were pupils of John
Nash — studied under him in England. The building was completed in
1835. Samuel Lewis wrote about Dromoland castle in 1837: "It is a
remarkable building in the old style, which is built on the site of
an ancient castle, surrounded by a large rich and wooded area,
recently put in order...»
Edward O'brien married Charlotte Smith, inherited her fortune and
used the funds to build his new castle. Edward and Charlotte were
the parents of William Smith O'brien, leader of the young Irish
Rebellion of 1848. Sir Edward O'brien died in 1837. His eldest son
Lucius became the V baronet O'brien and the XIII Baron Inhiquin.
In 1855 Burke left the following record of the castle: "the Castle
is built of dark blue limestone, with exquisite workmanship, around
a forest of over 1,500 acres of land... The hills offer magnificent
views of the rivers Shannon and Fergus, the terrain resembles an
island in a lake, making Dromoland castle one of the most beautiful
residences in Ireland...»
The castle is well preserved to our time. The castle is in the
neo-Gothic style, has crown towers with the coats of arms of the
chiefs of clan O'brien. To the South of the castle stretches a
wonderful Park. In 1902, Lucius O'brien-XV Baron Inhiquin on the
site of the old lock of the XVII century laid out a new garden
surrounded by a wall.
In 1962, Donogh O'brien-XVI Baron Inhiquin due to difficult
financial situation sold Dromoland castle and 350 acres of land
around it He built a new Thomond house on a hill overlooking
Dromoland castle. He moved into this Georgian-style house in 1965
and died in 1968. In this house he now lives XVIII the Baron
Inchiquin.
Castle Dromoland castle was bought by the citizen of the United
States — Bernard P. McDonough in 1862 and converted it into a hotel
of the highest class. Now the castle Dromoland castle is included in
the list of historic hotels in the world.