Classiebawn Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Classiebawn Castle |
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| General information | |
| Location | Mullaghmore, County Sligo |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°27′18.55″N 8°28′9.59″W / 54.4551528°N 8.4693306°W |
| Completed | 1874 |
| Client | Lord Palmerston |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | J. Rawson Carroll |
Classiebawn Castle is a beautiful country house located on the Mullaghmore Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It was built for a famous statesman named Lord Palmerston. This grand castle stands on what was once a very large estate. Most of the castle you see today was built in the late 1800s.
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Discovering Classiebawn Castle's Design
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Classiebawn Castle was designed in a special style called "Baronial." This style often looks like old Scottish castles. The architect who designed it was James Rawson Carroll from Dublin.
The castle is made from a unique yellow-brown sandstone. This stone was brought by sea all the way from County Donegal. The building has pointed gables and a tall central tower. This tower is topped with a cool, cone-shaped roof.
The Castle's Long History
The land where Classiebawn Castle now stands has a very old history. It once belonged to an Irish family called the O'Connor Sligos. Later, the land was taken by the English Parliament. This happened to pay back people who helped stop an Irish rebellion in 1641.
About 10,000 acres of this land were given to Sir John Temple. He was an important judge in Ireland. The property stayed in the Temple family for many years.
Lord Palmerston's Vision
The land eventually passed to The 3rd Viscount Palmerston. He was a very important politician in Britain. Lord Palmerston served as both the British Prime Minister and the British Foreign Secretary.
It was Lord Palmerston who decided to build the Classiebawn Castle we see today. He also had the harbor at Mullaghmore built. Sadly, the castle was not finished when he passed away in 1865.
Completing the Castle
The castle was finally completed in 1874. This was done by Lord Palmerston's stepson, William Cowper-Temple. He later became the 1st Baron Mount Temple.
William Cowper-Temple did not have children. So, when he died in 1888, the castle went to his nephew, Evelyn Ashley. Evelyn Ashley was the son of the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury. He spent time at the castle every year.
When Evelyn Ashley died in 1907, his son Wilfrid Ashley inherited the castle. Wilfrid also spent his summers there. He often brought his daughters, Edwina and Mary. Edwina later became a famous Countess.
The Mountbatten Family at Classiebawn
In 1916, the house was emptied and stayed empty for many years. It was inherited in 1939 by Edwina Mountbatten. She and her husband, Louis Mountbatten, made many improvements. They added electricity and running water to the castle.
After Edwina's death in 1960, Louis Mountbatten continued to spend his summers at Classiebawn. He was a very important naval officer and the last Viceroy of India. He sadly died in 1979 in a tragic boat incident off the coast of Mullaghmore.
Who Owns Classiebawn Castle Now?
Today, Classiebawn Castle and the land around it are owned by the estate of Hugh Tunney. He was a businessman from County Tyrone. Mr. Tunney bought the castle and about 3,000 acres of land in 1991. He had been leasing the property for many years before that.
