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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Lismore Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Lios Mhóir) is a beautiful old castle. It is located in the town of Lismore, County Waterford in Ireland. The castle used to belong to the Earls of Desmond. Later, in 1753, the Cavendish family took ownership. Today, it is the Irish home of the Duke of Devonshire. The castle was mostly rebuilt in the Gothic style. This happened in the mid-1800s for the 6th Duke of Devonshire.
Contents
Discovering Lismore Castle's Past
Lismore Castle was built in 1185 by Prince John of England. He later became King John. The castle was meant to protect a river crossing. It was like a sister castle to Ardfinnan Castle. Before the castle, this spot was home to Lismore Abbey. This abbey was a very important monastery and learning center. It was set up in the early 600s.
King Henry II of England even stayed here in 1171. For a short time after 1185, the castle was the home of the local bishop. Then, it became a property of the Earls of Desmond. Their lands were later divided up. This happened after Gerald FitzGerald, 14th Earl of Desmond was killed in 1583.
In 1589, Sir Walter Raleigh leased Lismore Castle. He later bought it. Raleigh sold the castle in 1602. He was in prison at the time for treason. The buyer was Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. Boyle was a famous adventurer. He became the 1st Earl of Cork in 1620.
The Earls of Cork and Burlington's Era
Richard Boyle came to Ireland in 1588. He had very little money. But he managed to become incredibly wealthy. After buying Lismore, he made it his main home. He turned it into a grand residence. He added impressive gabled buildings around the courtyard. He also built a strong outer wall and a gatehouse. This gatehouse was called the Riding Gate.
The main rooms were decorated beautifully. They had fancy plaster ceilings. There were also tapestry hangings, embroidered silks, and velvet. In 1626, Robert Boyle was born here. He was the 14th of the Earl's fifteen children. Robert Boyle is known as the Father of Modern Chemistry. The castle eventually passed to the 3rd Earl of Burlington and 4th Earl of Cork. He lived from 1694 to 1753. He was very important in Georgian architecture.
Lismore Castle played a role in the Cromwellian wars. In 1645, a group of Catholic fighters attacked the town and castle. They were led by Lord Castlehaven. Some repairs were done by the 1st Earl of Burlington and 2nd Earl of Cork. This made the castle livable again. But neither he nor the next owners lived at Lismore.
The Cavendish Family and Modern Times
The Cavendish family gained ownership of Lismore Castle in 1753. This happened when Lady Charlotte Boyle married the Marquess of Hartington. She was the daughter and heir of the 3rd Earl of Burlington. Her husband later became the 4th Duke of Devonshire in 1755. He even became a Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Their son, the 5th Duke, made improvements at Lismore. He built a bridge across the River Blackwater in 1775. This bridge was designed by architect Thomas Ivory.
The 6th Duke (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 be a grand, fortress-like home. He hired architect William Atkinson from 1812 to 1822. Atkinson rebuilt the castle in the Gothic style. Stone for the building was brought from Derbyshire. Lismore was always the Bachelor Duke's favorite home.
In 1850, he hired Sir Joseph Paxton. Paxton designed the Crystal Palace. He made huge improvements and additions to the castle. Much of the castle's current look is Paxton's work. At this time, J.G. Crace and A.W.N. Pugin were hired. They were famous for Gothic Revival designs. They turned the old chapel into a medieval-style banqueting hall. It had a huge stained-glass window and Gothic decorations.
A special fireplace was also designed by Pugin. It was shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851. It was meant for another house but was too fancy. So, it was bought for Lismore. It has an Irish message: Cead Mille Fáilte, which means 'a hundred thousand welcomes'. Pugin also designed other furnishings. After he died in 1851, Crace continued to make similar items. In 1858, the Cavendish family helped build a new bridge over the Blackwater.
After the 6th Duke died in 1858, Lismore Castle stayed mostly the same. It became the home of Lord Charles Arthur Francis Cavendish. He was a younger son of the 9th Duke. Lord Charles married Adele Astaire, who was Fred Astaire's sister. Adele continued to use the castle until 1981.
The 11th Duke of Devonshire only visited the castle briefly each year. In his later years, the castle was available to rent. The 12th Duke took over in 2004. He mostly lives at the family's Chatsworth estate.
His son, Lord Burlington, now manages the castle. He has an apartment there. In 2005, he turned an old part of the castle into a modern art gallery. It is called Lismore Castle Arts. The rest of the castle is not open to the public. However, groups can rent it for visits.
The castle has beautiful gardens that are open to visitors. The upper garden is a walled garden from the 1600s. Much of the lower garden was designed in the 1800s. Lord Burlington has improved the plants and added modern sculptures. These include works by Sir Antony Gormley, Marzia Colonna, and Eilís O'Connell.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Lismore para niños
