Period Property For Sale: Galway

Cregg Castle, Corrandulla, Co. Galway
Exceptional, historic castle of extensive proportions dating back to the 17th century on 180 acres of land

Cregg Castle is located just 9 miles from Galway City and it is an exceptional, historic castle of extensive proportions dating back to the 17th century on approximately 180 acres of magical woodland, meadow and pasture with a river meandering through. Planning permission has been granted for renovation to a 100 bedroom hotel and leisure centre with 9 hole golf course.

The castle was built by the Clement Kirwin family in 1648 and was later inherited by chemist, Richard Kirwin in 1754. Remains of his laboratory are still in the orchard. There is a Queen Anne bell tower in the yard and also a delightful little chapel in the castle. After the Kirwans came the Blakes (another of the Great Tribes), who stayed until 1947.

Cregg's architecture is difficult to understand. It is one of, if not, the last "fortified mansions" built in Ireland. While parts of the building are clearly fortified - some walls upstairs are more than five feet thick - there's no outer wall or anything else to keep even a small contingent of soldiers from breaking in quickly.

The years from 1600 to 1650 were a time of transition between the medieval era known to have had highly fortified tower houses, and the renaissance, when Irish manor homes were designed strictly for esthetics. West Ireland saw armed conflict at this time between the Irish and Cromwell's forces, and semi-fortified houses would present at least a psychological deterrent to poor tenant farmers, who might have considered rising up against their landlords.

We assume that the Kirwans designed Cregg with the same caution in mind. Strong walls cannot prevent all invaders, however. When Cregg Castle fell into the hands of the Blake family in the 18th century, local legend says it was lost in a game of cards! The Blake lineage died out and Cregg Castle was sold to an English couple in the 1940s. They carried out some restoration but after a few decades the castle fell into serious decline. Ann Marie Broderick's parents, Martin and Margaret Murray, purchased the property in 1972. Martin grew vegetables in the old walled garden and he raised beef for the kitchen of his hotel in Galway. Patrick and Ann Marie Broderick ran the castle as a well regarded B&B from 1990 to 2006. The castle was sold in 2007 to an unidentified buyer. The Kirwans were the only family from the Tribes of Galway to establish an Irish origin, tracing a descent from the second son of Milesius, one of the original Gaels. They left many fine seats, including Cregg Castle, Castlehackett, Gardenfield, Glan and Woodfield.

Price: €may be sold in lots - offers invited
Last update: 3rd April 2012
Contact: Helen Cassidy, Premier Properties Ireland
Tel.: +353 (0)94 954 6868
Mobile: +353 (0)87 2463748
Email: helencassidyauctioneers@eircom.net

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