Foulksrath Castle facts for kids
Foulksrath Castle is a cool old castle from the 1300s. It's an Anglo-Norman tower house found in Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland. It has a long and interesting history, full of different families and even some spooky ghost stories!
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A Look Back at Foulksrath Castle's History
The castle has strong ties to two important families: the De Frene and Purcell families. The first building here was a fortified home with a moat, built around 1349. The De Frene family lived there. Many people think the castle got its name from Fulco De Frene. He was a soldier for King Edward III and fought in famous battles like the Battle of Crecy.
In the early 1400s, the Purcell family, who were related to the De Frenes, took over the estate. They built the castle we see today.
The Castle During the English Civil War
During the English Civil War, the Purcell family supported the King. Because of this, their land was taken away by Oliver Cromwell's army. The estate was split among three of Cromwell's officers. One officer, Bradshaw, received the castle. However, he allowed the Purcells to keep living on the land.
After Bradshaw passed away, several other families lived in the castle. These included the Dawson family and Moses Henshaw. Even in 1777, some Purcell family farmers were still living on the castle grounds. The castle and land were then rented to Thomas Wright.
William Ball Wright, a famous family historian and one of the first Anglican missionaries to Japan, was born at the castle in 1843. The Wright family lived in the castle until 1861.
The Swift Family and a Flying Machine
The Swift family, who were related to the famous writer Jonathan Swift, have been connected to the castle since at least 1857. In that year, Godwin Meade Pratt Swift invented the first aircraft in Ireland! He called his invention an "aerial chariot."
He tested it by launching it from the top of Foulksrath Castle using a catapult. His butler was the pilot! Sadly, the plane immediately crashed to the ground. The butler survived, but he had many broken bones.
Some articles say the Swift family bought the castle in 1898. Others suggest they might have owned it, or at least lived there, for a long time before that.
From Castle to Youth Hostel
In 1910, a Colonel Butler and his sister rented the castle. After Miss Butler passed away, the castle became empty and started to fall apart.
In 1946, An Óige (the Irish Youth Hostel Association) bought the castle from the Swift family. The local community helped raise money for this. They also raised money to turn the castle into a youth hostel.
Jack Macken, a well-known artist, managed the castle. He even showed his paintings and art from local artists in a gallery there. The hostel closed in 2009. Foulksrath Castle is now owned by a private family.
Castle Architecture and Design
Foulksrath Castle is located about 12 kilometers outside the old city of Kilkenny. It is a very well-kept and restored Norman tower house. Most of the outer wall, called the bawn, and some other smaller buildings are still standing.
A pitched roof has been added over the main tower. However, you can still walk along the top of the tower where the crenellated battlement is. This is the part with the gaps that soldiers would use to shoot arrows.
A narrow spiral staircase connects the castle's four stories. The remains of a moat, a ditch filled with water, still protect the outer walls. People believe this moat has been there since the first building was constructed in the early 1200s. It's likely that parts of that older building were used to build the current castle.
Spooky Castle Hauntings
Many stories say that Foulksrath Castle is haunted! In 1992, a BBC television crew of British ghost hunters even visited the castle.
The Locked-Away Daughter
One legend tells of a female ghost who looks out from the castle windows. She is said to be the daughter of a past owner. Her father was unhappy with her choice of boyfriend. So, he locked her away in a tower. Depending on the story, she either starved to death or her father killed her.
The Guard's Footsteps
Another ghost supposedly appears every year on November 29th. This is said to be a guard who fell asleep while on duty. As punishment, he was thrown to his death from the castle's walls. People say his footsteps can be heard as he walks around the castle, trying to make up for his mistake.
The Scent of Flowers
The third legend is about another female ghost. This woman wanders the castle, and you can smell wild flowers or lilacs when she is near.
