Galtee Castle
Encyclopedia
Galtee Castle was a mansion
that was situated on the foothills of the Galtee Mountains
at Skeheenarinky
in South Tipperary
, Ireland
approximately 10 km. from Mitchelstown
.
around 1780.The 3rd Earl further remodeled it (c.1825).
In the 1850's, the Kingstons were forced to sell off vast amounts of their landed estate due to debts, including the lodge and approximately 20000 acres (80.9 km²)surrounding it. This became a new estate, the majority of which remained leased to tenant farmers.
The building was remodeled and expanded c.1892 when its new owner Abel Buckley
inherited the estate from his brother Nathaniel
, he had previously purchased sole ownership in 1873.
; a government agency, acquired the demesne and house in the late 1930's, after allocating the land between afforestation and farmers, the house was offered for sale. The commission accepted an offer from Fr. Tobin of Glanworth
Co. Cork. He wished to use the stone and the slates to build a new church in his parish. The building was thus torn down and dismantled c.1941.
Today very little is left on the site of the former house; some of the lower base foundations are all that remain. Nearby are some estate cottages and two gate houses.
The woods and trails around the site have been developed as a public amenity area known as Galtee Castle Woods.
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
that was situated on the foothills of the Galtee Mountains
Galtee Mountains
The Galtee Mountains or Galty Mountains are a mountain range in Munster, located in Ireland's Golden Vale across parts of counties Limerick, South Tipperary and Cork. The name "Galtee" is thought to be a corruption of the Irish "Sléibhte na gCoillte" - "Mountains of the Forests" in English,...
at Skeheenarinky
Skeheenarinky
Skeheenarinky is a townland in south-west County Tipperary, Ireland.It is a dispersed settlement with a focal point at Skeheenarinky Crosswhere a school, shop and pub are located.-Location:...
in South Tipperary
South Tipperary
South Tipperary is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Munster. It is named after the town of Tipperary and consists of 52% of the land area of the traditional county of Tipperary. The county was established in 1898 and has had a county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
approximately 10 km. from Mitchelstown
Mitchelstown
Mitchelstown is a town in County Cork, Ireland with a population of approximately 3300. Mitchelstown is situated in the valley to the south of the Galtee Mountains close to the Mitchelstown Caves and is 28 km from Cahir, 50 km from Cork and 59 km from Limerick...
.
Origins
The original structure was built as a hunting lodge for the 2nd Earl of KingstonEarl of Kingston
Earl of Kingston is a title in the Peerage of Ireland. It was created in 1768 for Edward King, 1st Viscount Kingston. He had already succeeded his father as fifth Baronet of Boyle Abbey and been created Baron Kingston, of Rockingham in the County of Roscommon in 1764 and Viscount Kingston in 1766,...
around 1780.The 3rd Earl further remodeled it (c.1825).
In the 1850's, the Kingstons were forced to sell off vast amounts of their landed estate due to debts, including the lodge and approximately 20000 acres (80.9 km²)surrounding it. This became a new estate, the majority of which remained leased to tenant farmers.
The building was remodeled and expanded c.1892 when its new owner Abel Buckley
Abel Buckley
Abel Buckley was a British cotton manufacturer and Liberal politician of Irish descent.He was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, the younger son of Abel Buckley and Mary Keehan of Alderdale Lodge. He was educated at Mill Hill School and Owen's College...
inherited the estate from his brother Nathaniel
Nathaniel Buckley
Nathaniel Buckley was a British landowner, cotton mill owner and Liberal Party politician.At the 1868 general election he was Liberal candidate for the constituency of Stalybridge, but was defeated by his Conservative opponent, James Sidebottom. Sidebottom died in February 1871 causing a by-election...
, he had previously purchased sole ownership in 1873.
Destruction
The Land CommissionIrish Land Commission
The Irish Land Commission was created in 1881 as a rent fixing commission by the Land Law Act 1881, also known as the second Irish Land Act...
; a government agency, acquired the demesne and house in the late 1930's, after allocating the land between afforestation and farmers, the house was offered for sale. The commission accepted an offer from Fr. Tobin of Glanworth
Glanworth
Glanworth is a village on the R512 regional road 8 km northwest of the town of Fermoy in County Cork, Ireland. It lies some 40 km northeast of the city of Cork, the county's administrative centre, and 210 km southwest of the capital, Dublin...
Co. Cork. He wished to use the stone and the slates to build a new church in his parish. The building was thus torn down and dismantled c.1941.
Today very little is left on the site of the former house; some of the lower base foundations are all that remain. Nearby are some estate cottages and two gate houses.
The woods and trails around the site have been developed as a public amenity area known as Galtee Castle Woods.