Killoskehane Castle, Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary
Mark Bence-Jones. A Guide to Irish Country Houses (originally published as Burke’s Guide to Country Houses volume 1 Ireland by Burke’s Peerage Ltd. 1978); Revised edition 1988 Constable and Company Ltd, London.
p. 171. “(Willington/LGI1958) An old castle with a two storey early C18 wing; the latter has a projection with a very handsome pedimented and rusticated doorcase. In the C19 the whole building was reroofed; the old castle battlemented and C18 wing given roof-dormers. A gable was added to the projection with the doorcase, and mullions were put into all the windows. The other front was made more consciously Tudor, with a porch oriel and tall chimneystack.”
and supplement: “Remodelled 1867 to the design of Sir Thomas Newenham Deane.”
Killoskehan Castle, KILLOSKEHAN, Tipperary North
Detached rectangular-plan multi-period country house. Comprises early seventeenth-century towerhouse to south corner with single-bay gable and two-bay side elevation and larte seventeenth/early eighteenth-century L-plan six-bay two-storey with dormer attic block with central full-height projecting entrance bay with date plaque, built onto north-east wall of towerhouse. Whole remodelled and Tudor Revival block added to north corner in 1865, with full-height projecting entrance bay and with courtyard filling south-west corner of plan. Pitched slate roofs with cast-iron rainwater goods, rendered chimneystacks, some multiple-offset to second phase. Gabled dormer windows and moulded limestone course to façade of second phase. Carved finials, eaves course and details to 1865 block. Ruled-and-lined rendered walls to towerhouse and second phase, exposed rubble limestone to latter’s return gable, and rusticated limestone to 1865 block, courtyard and machicolation and battlements of towerhouse. Carved limestone date plaque to second phase façade. Square-headed window openings, mullioned to outer elevations, with hood mouldings to towerhouse. Rendered block-and-start surrounds to early blocks and chamfered surrounds to 1865 block, with various early openings to gables of second phase and with carved balconies to end gables of towerhouse and second phase. Carved limestone Gibbsian door surround with pediment to second phase with replacement timber door. Four-centred carved limestone doorcase to 1865 block, with replacement timber door and stained glass overlight. Courtyard to north of house with multiple-bay single- and two-storey outbuildings, with snecked limestone walls and accessed through gatehouse comprising segmental-arched carriageway with possible former chapel to first floor. Cast-iron vehicular and pedestrian entrance gates with carved limestone piers to road entrance.
Appraisal
This house incorporating fabric from three periods, is a fine example of historical continuity. The 1865 block is an interesting example of Tudor-style architecture that was revived in Ireland in the nineteenth century. The architectural form of the complex is enhanced by many notable features and materials, such as the moulded window surrounds and ornate carved limestone entrances. The house forms an interesting group with the surviving related outbuildings, gate lodge and entrance gates.
http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-list.jsp?letter=K
This house was the seat of the Willington family. In 1837 Lewis wrote that Killoskehane Castle “includes part of the ancient castle in the modern mansion”. The property was held by John Willington in fee at the time of Griffith’s Valuation when the buildings were valued at £29+. Edward D. Martin was the occupier of Killoskehane in 1906 and William Costigan in the 1940s. The building is still extant and occupied.
For sale by Helen Cassidy, Premier Properties Ireland:
Charming Historic Irish Castle/ Mansion dating from the 1600′s available for purchase. Price includes the bulk of the furniture.
Renovated to a beautiful standard during the 1800′s.
Killoskehane Castle is located in a most beautiful, tranquil private situation just a short drive from the town of Templemore, County Tipperary,
with superb views of the Devil’s Bit mountain and the Slieve Felim Mountains.
This house was the seat of the Willington Family. The property consists of approx. 15 acres of paddocks and gardens, with outhouses and Gatelodge.
Located at the foot of The Devil’s Bit Mountain.
4 km to Borrisoleigh,
1hr 45 mins to Dublin, 1 hour to Shannon/ Limerick, 1hr 45 mins to Galway. 7km to Templemore, 18 miles to Thurles, 20 Mins to Nenagh.
The accommodation comprises:
Ground Floor:
Large Hallway with elaborate wood panelling and floors, leading to
Drawing Room with fine wood panelling, historic fireplace, French windows to Gardens
Extensive Dining Room with fine wood panelling, historic fireplace and French windows to Gardens,
Fully fitted Kitchen, Games Room with feature fireplace, assorted service rooms.
First Floor: Gallery/Studio, Lounge, Four Formal Bedrooms, Three Bathrooms.
Second Floor: Five Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms.
Externally the property offers charming gardens to the rear and fore, barbeque area, outbuildings, paddocks.
€650 per night: 11 people
Killoskehane Castle is set in 20 acres with beautiful views of the Devils’ Bit and Slieve Mountains. The house sleeps up to 11 persons. All rooms are of generous size and beautifully proportioned. Everything is functional and nicely decorated. However, the modern luxury standard is not to be expected with these places.
A great place to withdraw from the hectic world and to take a real break!
The space
Killoskehane Castle is a masterclass for Georgian buildings. It has 4 double bedrooms, 1 twin double bedroom and 4 bathrooms in use currently. All rooms are bright with big windows overlooking the beautiful premies of the estate.
Killoskehane Castle has a beautiful bright sitting room, a stunning dining room, a cosy kitchen, a warm and peaceful lounge and a great games room. The house welcomes you with several cosy fireplaces which are all in use at the ground floor. Entering the impressive hall you feel having arrived in a different world.
Other things to note
Killoskehane Castle is an ancient building with lots of history. Guests will feel being transported back in time a few hundred years. The hiuse has been renovated regularly and is functional. However, modern luxury standard is hard to meet with these kinds of buildings.
Irish Historic Houses 