Set in beautiful parkland on the Carlow / Kilkenny border this castellated house incorporates a building from 1713. The interior preserves much of it's 18th century chacacter and features a late Georgian staircase, Gothic plasterwork in the dinning room and a charmingly Victorian drawing room. Visitors are invited to walk in the grounds and gardens, and there are guided tours of the house. Open - Easter weekend; Sundays and Bank holiday Mondays in May; Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from June to September, 14:00 to 17:30. Parties and coach tours are welcome at other times by prior arrangement.


Slane Castle, Co. Meath

Slane Castle is located on the banks of the river Boyne, about a mile west of the crossroads at Slane Village, County Meath. Slane is fairly close to New Grange and is easily accessible from Dublin. The Caslte gates, pictured here, are at the bridge crossing at Slane, and one of the first things you see in Slane when coming from Dublin. The Gothic arch and turrets of the gate alone are a wonderful work of architecture.The path beyond them, to the Castle, is private.

The castle itself was built by the Norman conquerers, The Flemings. A portion of the original castle has been incorporated into the now larger castle, built in the Georgian style.

The Castle was bought by the Coyninghams after the Battle of the Boyne when the estate was confiscated by the victorious King of England. This family has held it ever since, presently represented by Lord Mountcharles. Lord Mountcharles' stewardship of the castle is marked by the rock concerts he has promoted on the castle lawn, a discotheque nightclub and one-time restaurant. A tragic fire that gutted much of the castle in late 1991, including its famous ballroom ceiling.

The castle fire kept concerts from being held in Slane until 1998. The natural shape of the landscape provides a natural amphitheatre upon which the eighty thousand or so music lovers may view the concert stage below them.