Strancally Castle

Strancally Castle is a stone fortress rising above the Blackwater River, designed by architects James and George Richard Pain during the 19th century. The building combines Gothic design with classical castle architecture and sits within landscaped grounds that extend down toward the water.

The current castle was built in 1827 for MP John Keily, replacing a medieval fortress once held by the Norman Desmond family in the 13th century. Ruins of the earlier structure still stand on the grounds, showing the site's long occupation across different periods.

The estate represents the transition from medieval fortifications to nineteenth-century architectural developments, with both new castle and original ruins present on site.

The castle sits several kilometers upriver from the earlier ruins, positioned between the villages of Cappoquin and Lismore near a historical landing point along the water. The surrounding grounds with river views offer multiple ways to explore the estate and understand its setting within the Irish landscape.

The original castle contained a secret trapdoor leading to a cave, which Spanish occupants allegedly used to eliminate local landowners during a banquet.

Location: Strancally Demesne

GPS coordinates: 52.06900,-7.87700

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:01