Castlefreake Castle, Co. Cork.

[Michael J. O'Brien]

Spent the weekend down in West Cork and was amazed by this large ruin- near Rosscarbary. I was talking to two of the locals who informed me that the it was owned by a local community trust but they have recently sold it to a descendent of the Freake family- he is an American. From what I could gather he has major plans for it- but no one seems sure whether he wants to live in it or is going to turned into a hotel or museum. What is known is that he is about to fence it off and prevent trespassers- apparently someone fell almost 50 feet recently from the top. Does anyone know more about the new owner's plans- it seems unusual to me that the community would have sold this building- that has huge tourist potential to a private individual.

For a picture of the house check out: http://www.eirdex.com/0/9.html

[kcalk]

I wonder if you have information on the ancestry of this castle...supposedly my father's kin owned it long ago.

[Radioactiveman]

The 'castle' isn't that old. Its an old Mansion rather than what you'd call a castle. Its a great spot. Had loads of fun running around the place as kids. It is very dangerous at this stage though. If you want a closer look at the castle it is featured in the 'big battle' scene in the Irish film "War of the Buttons".
Have no idea what his plans are though. Good luck to him though, it needs someone to finance it.

[phatman]

I grew up within sighting distance of the castle, and like yourself radioactiveman, spent alot of time exploring the place as a kid, and and even up until recently when they cordoned it off. The castle that stands there now is , in my opinion, one of the finest in the country, the fact that it is only just over 100 years old detracts from any major historical importance, hence one will rarely find it featured in tourist books etc. There has been a castle on the site for centuries, but numerous fires and sieges resulted in it's reconstruction. The current structure was built with reinforced concrete floors, one of the pioneering projects in the region. It really is a fine building, with it's numerous turrets, courtyards and passageways, and in my opinion it's a shame it has been sold, really was such a great amenity. You know what it was sold for? 500 k's! What a steal, makes it even more infuriating.
It was bought by a descendant of the freke-evans family, a successful wall street businessman. A friend of mine working on the project informs me that work has been stopped due to planning violations, knocking of existing structures etc, a disgrace really.

[Gianlorenzo]

Is there any update on this story? I too remember exploring this wonderful building as a child. I suppose if it had to be sold by the local community at least it was to a descendant of the original family. Hopefully it is a sensitive restoration.

[ctesiphon]

Not an update- sorry. Just a link to another thread with info on the building (good to have them in the one place).
http://www.archiseek.com/content/showthread.php?t=3847&highlight=castlefreke

Hopefully it is a sensitive restoration

A friend of mine working on the project informs me that work has been stopped due to planning violations, knocking of existing structures etc, a disgrace really.

[MacLeinin]

"In County Cork, the fashion for gothicising houses continued: At Castle Freke, in Rosscarbery, Sir John Evans-Freke (6th Lord Carbery) commissioned architect Sir Richard Morrison, in the years leading up to 1820, to transform a rambling set of buildings into an elaborate castellated complex. Work on Castle Freke continued for over two decades. Morrison added a medieval flavour with polygonal towers, a gateway with portcullis and crenellations, but otherwise left the Classical facade of the house intact. [M. Bence-Jones, p. 68]"http://www.crawfordartgallery.com/1800-1825.html

Another interesting titbit re Castlefreake.

[gizmo]

I beleive design work is to proceed in 2006 vith a view to lodging a planning application soon there after, the building will be one of the family homes and careful restoration is planned.

[Michael J. O'Brien]

That is great to hear. Reversing the recent trend of golf demenses.

Thanks for the update.

[Praxiteles]

This may be of interest: JP Neale's engraving of castlefreke in 1821:

[Praxiteles]

Castlefreake to-day:

[Praxiteles]

The original Georgian House, seen in the first photograph, was built in the 1780s and flanked by an amazing array of "Gothica" by Sir Richard Morrison whose onstruction continued well in the 1830s.