Killeavy Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Killeavy Castle |
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Killeavy Castle near Slieve Gullion Forest Park
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| General information | |
| Town or city | County Armagh |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates | 54°07′23″N 6°24′40″W / 54.123°N 6.411°W |
| Construction started | 1810-1820 |
| Completed | 1836 |
| Cost | Approx |
Killeavy Castle is a beautiful old castle located in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. It was built a long time ago, in the 1800s. This castle is very special because it is a "Grade A listed" building. This means it is one of the most important historic buildings in Northern Ireland and is protected.
The castle was first built for the Foxall Family between 1810 and 1820. Later, it was changed to look like another famous castle called Gosford Castle. In 2013, there were exciting plans to fix up the castle. A lot of money, about £1 million, was given by Invest Northern Ireland to help restore it.
The Story of Killeavy Castle
Killeavy Castle started out as a simple country farmhouse. It was owned by the Foxall Family in the early 1800s. They decided to make it much grander.
Building the Castle
Around 1836, the Foxall Family hired a famous architect named George Papworth. He added many new parts to the building. He designed four tall towers and other smaller buildings around the main house. He also added special windows in the Tudor style. These changes made the farmhouse look like a proper castle.
New Owners and Restoration
By 1881, the Bell family became the new owners of Killeavy Castle. They lived there for many years. The castle stayed in their family until Maureen Bell passed away in 2000. After that, the castle was sold at an auction. It was bought for about £1.19 million.
Because the castle is so important, a grant of £1 million was given by Invest Northern Ireland. This money was used to help restore the castle. The goal was to bring it back to its former glory. This way, people can enjoy its history and beauty for many more years.
