Ballinlough Castle facts for kids
Ballinlough Castle is an old and beautiful house in County Westmeath, Ireland. It's built on a hill and looks out over two lakes in Westmeath. This historic home has been the residence of the Nugent family for many years, and currently, Sir Nicholas and Lady Nugent live there.
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Exploring Ballinlough Castle
The castle has a large drawing room and a dining room on the ground floor. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms connected by a cool, arched hallway. The windows in these rooms are super tall, letting in lots of light and offering amazing views of the woods and the lake nearby.
The Gardens and Events
The gardens around Ballinlough Castle are very pretty, and there are lovely paths through the woods and along the lakeside. While these areas aren't usually open for public visits anymore, they are used for special events. For example, the castle grounds are the home of the Body & Soul Music Festival every June, which is a big music and arts event.
A Look Back: Castle History
Ballinlough Castle was built a very long time ago, in 1614. You can even see the date and the O'Reilly family's symbol above the front door! Around 1790, the castle got bigger when a new part was added. This was done by Sir Hugh O'Reilly.
The Nugent Family Connection
In 1812, the O'Reilly family changed their name to Nugent. This happened because Hugh O'Reilly, who had become a Baronet (a special title), inherited money from his uncle, John Nugent, and took his name. Since then, many generations of the Nugent family have lived in the castle. They are one of the few Irish Catholic families from the 1600s who still live in their original family home today. The current owner is the 8th Baronet, meaning he is the eighth person in his family line to hold that title.
Music and Festivals at the Castle
The grounds of Ballinlough Castle have also become a popular spot for music concerts and festivals. Since 2006, many famous artists have performed there, including Kenny Rogers, Van Morrison, and the Pet Shop Boys. The Life Festival was also held there in 2009. Since 2010, the Nugent family has worked with the team behind the Body & Soul Music Festival, letting them use the castle lands each year for the event.
Other Castles in Westmeath
If you're interested in other historic castles in County Westmeath, here are a few more to explore:
- Clonyn Castle (also known as Delvin Castle)
- Killua Castle
- Knockdrin Castle
- Tullynally Castle
- Tyrrellspass Castle
