Lismore Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lismore Castle |
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Caisleán na Leasa Móire
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Lismore Castle, 2006
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Victorian |
| Location | Lismore, County Waterford |
| Country | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°08′26″N 07°55′57″W / 52.14056°N 7.93250°W |
| Elevation | 43 m (141 ft) |
| Completed | 1851 |
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| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Atkinson (1811-15) |
| Other designers | Augustus Pugin and John Gregory Crace (interiors) |
Lismore Castle (which means Caisleán an Lios Mhóir in Irish) is a famous castle in Lismore, County Waterford, Ireland. It has a long history, dating back to 1185. Over the centuries, it has been owned by powerful families. These include the Earls of Desmond and the Earls of Cork. Since 1753, it has belonged to the Cavendish family. Today, it is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire. The castle you see today was mostly rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 1800s.
Contents
The Castle's Beginnings
The first castle on this spot was built in 1185. It was ordered by Prince John of England, who later became King. He wanted a castle here to protect a river crossing. It was built as a "sister castle" to Ardfinnan Castle.
Before the castle, this site was home to Lismore Abbey. This was an important monastery and a place of learning. It was founded way back in the early 600s. Even King Henry II of England stayed here in 1171.
For a while, the castle was owned by the Earls of Desmond. Their lands were later taken over after the death of Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond, in 1583.
In 1589, the famous explorer Sir Walter Raleigh leased Lismore. He later bought it. However, Raleigh sold the castle in 1602. He sold it to Richard Boyle while he was in prison. Boyle later became the 1st Earl of Cork in 1620.
The Earls of Cork and Burlington
Richard Boyle arrived in Ireland in 1588 with very little money. But he became incredibly wealthy. After buying Lismore, he made it his main home. He turned it into a grand residence. He added impressive buildings around the courtyard. He also built a strong outer wall and a gatehouse.
The main rooms were beautifully decorated. They had fancy plaster ceilings and rich tapestries. In 1626, Robert Boyle, a famous scientist, was born here. He is known as "the Father of Modern Chemistry." He was one of the Earl's fifteen children.
The castle later passed to the 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork. He was important in shaping Georgian architecture.
Lismore Castle was involved in the Cromwellian wars. In 1645, a group of Catholic forces attacked the town and castle. They caused a lot of damage. Some repairs were made to make it livable again. But the Earls of Cork and Burlington did not live there much after that.
The Dukes of Devonshire Take Over
In 1753, the Cavendish family gained ownership of Lismore Castle. This happened when Lady Charlotte Boyle married the Marquess of Hartington. He later became the 4th Duke of Devonshire in 1755. He even served as a Prime Minister.
Their son, the 5th Duke, made improvements to Lismore. He oversaw the building of a new bridge over the River Blackwater in 1775. This bridge was designed by architect Thomas Ivory.
The Castle's Modern Look
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The 6th Duke of Devonshire (1790–1858) is responsible for how the castle looks today. He was known as 'the Bachelor Duke'. He started changing the castle in 1811. He wanted it to look like a grand, old fortress.
From 1812 to 1822, he hired architect William Atkinson. Atkinson rebuilt the castle in the Gothic style. Stone for the building was brought all the way from Derbyshire, England. Lismore was the Bachelor Duke's favorite home.
In 1850, he hired Sir Joseph Paxton, who designed the Crystal Palace. Paxton made even more big changes and additions to the castle. Much of the castle's current shape is thanks to Paxton's work.
At this time, a leading designer named J. G. Crace and architect A. W. N. Pugin were hired. They turned the old chapel into a medieval-style banqueting hall. It had a huge stained-glass window and Gothic designs on the walls.
A large fireplace, designed by Pugin, was also added. It was originally made for another house but was bought for Lismore. It has an Irish saying: Cead Mille Fáilte, which means 'a hundred thousand welcomes'. Pugin also designed other fireplaces and furniture. After his death in 1851, Crace continued to make furniture in Pugin's style.
In 1858, the Cavendish family helped build a new bridge over the Blackwater River. This replaced the one from 1775.
Lismore Castle Today
After the 6th Duke died in 1858, Lismore Castle stayed mostly the same. It became the home of Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish, a younger son of the 9th Duke. Lord Charles married Adele Astaire, who was the sister and dancing partner of Fred Astaire. Adele continued to use the castle until shortly before her death in 1981.
The 11th Duke of Devonshire only visited the castle briefly each year. In his later years, the castle was available for rent. The 12th Duke, who became Duke in 2004, mainly lives at his family's Chatsworth estate.
His son, Lord Burlington, now manages the castle. He has an apartment there. In 2005, he turned a part of the castle into a modern art gallery called Lismore Castle Arts. The rest of the castle's inside is not open to the public. However, groups can rent it for visits.
The castle also has beautiful gardens that are open to visitors. The upper garden is a walled garden from the 1600s. The lower garden was mostly designed in the 1800s. Lord Burlington has improved the gardens. He has also added modern sculptures by artists like Sir Antony Gormley.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Lismore para niños
