I had a visit to Markree Castle for their tour today. They run these tours on a regular basis and it was very interesting to find out more about the history of the castle and it’s owners.
The weather, as usual was lousy, although I did get the photos above in the few minutes that it stopped raining!
As you go in the door you are greeted by this magnificent staircase.
The ceiling is also something special. In fact the whole building is. Francis Johnston was the architect who designed Markree Castle. He also designed the General Post Office in O’Connell Street in Dublin and Charleville Castle, Offaly amongst others.
There is this wonderful window in the Castle, it has the names of all the Coopers included in it.
A lot of the research I was doing today was for the Hidden Histories project I am volunteering in. I can tell you though that the hymn ‘All things bright and beautiful’ was written by Cecil Alexander when she stayed at Markree.
I can also tell you that Johnny Cash stayed in the castle and had a Halloween party there.
There’s also a least one ghost, who you might bump into in the lady’s toilet (which used to be the butler’s pantry). She’s thought to be a servant and several people have seen her.
If you want to know anymore you’ll have to buy the Hidden Histories book when it comes out 😉
Magnumlady Blog 
What a lovely post, that place is impressive!
Xxx
It is a great place 🙂 xx
Beautiful place, and great photos Val. Let us know when Hidden Histories is published. 🙂
I will Colette 🙂
A very impressive building. Fab photos
Thanks 🙂
I’ve never been to Markree Castle but it looks like I’ll have to pay a visit! I love the stairs!
Are you writing something for the Hidden Histories books or are you just doing photos?
Oh you will have to visit, it’s a brilliant place.
I am writing for the book too….eeek
Ooh best of luck, looking forward to seeing it in print!
Thanks 🙂 It’s not my project but I’m happy to be involved in it in a small way.
Well done and fair play about the ‘Hidden Histories’ book, Val. That’s brilliant! A lot of work, research-wise I’m guessing, but so incredibly interesting and fascinating to delve into. I think WB Yeats stayed there or lived there for a short time, too, didn’t he? The grounds are beautiful, as is the castle itself.
It’s been way too long since we were last there, and it’s so close to where we live that there’s no excuse to not go back, even if just for a short walk around the grounds, earning us a lovely lunch or a cup of tea and baked goodies. I remember how amazed I was how, for a big, beautiful, impressive and real, honest-to-goodness castle, their prices for meals and snacks as well as the very reasonable cost of the rooms were.
As always, beautiful photos – rain or no rain.
There are a lot of people researching the ‘big houses’ of Sligo so I’m just a small cog in a big wheel. It is very interesting though and yes WB Yeats stayed there…although sometimes I think it’s more a case of where didn’t he stay! He certainly got around!