Castle Otway facts for kids
Castle Otway was once a large house built in the 1700s. It stood on a hill near the village of Templederry, close to Nenagh in County Tipperary, Ireland. Today, it is mostly a ruin, but it still shows signs of its past.
The house was made of stone and had two floors. It was built next to the remains of an even older castle called Cloghane Castle. Later, in the 1800s, a tall tower was added to the back of the house. This tower was built using parts of the old castle's keep (main tower). In 1922, during a time of conflict in Ireland, the house was destroyed by fire. Now, its gardens and the land around it are used for farming.
The Otway Family and Castle Otway
The land where Castle Otway stands was given to a man named John Otway in 1685. His family owned the castle for many years. Some famous people from the Otway family lived there or were connected to it. These included important military leaders like Sir Robert Otway, who was an Admiral in the navy, and Sir Loftus William Otway, who was a General in the army. There was also an author named Caesar Otway.
Changes in Ownership
Later, Henry Otway (who lived from 1768 to 1815) owned the castle. He married Sarah Cave, who became a Baroness, a special title for a noblewoman. After Henry passed away, his son Robert inherited the house. When Robert died young without children, the castle went to his cousin, Robert Jocelyn Otway.
After Robert Jocelyn Otway died in 1884, the castle was passed to his son-in-law, William Clifford Bermingham Ruthven. He added "Otway" to his last name, becoming Otway-Ruthven.
The Otway Harp
For a long time, Castle Otway was home to a very special musical instrument called the Otway Harp. This harp was made in the late 1500s and was beautifully decorated. Today, this historic harp is kept at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.
