Merlin Holland tells the story of the epic court clash at the Old Bailey in 1895 between his grandfather, Oscar Wilde, and Edward Carson. Does Carson deserve his reputation as the man who destroyed Oscar Wilde? Also featuring Gyles Brandreth and actors Simon Callow and Rupert Everett.

</h1> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=300" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2021-02-03T20:52:11+00:00">3rd February 2021</time><time class="updated" datetime="2022-01-03T19:31:22+00:00">3rd January 2022</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-294" class="post-294 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=294" rel="bookmark">The Lambert Family and their association with St. Mary’s Church of Ireland</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <h2></h2> <h2>Parish Church, Athenry, 1826 – 1960 by Aideen Rynne</h2> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>St. Mary’s was built in the Chancel of the old parish Church of Athenry, the founder of the old Parish Church being Meiler de Bermingham in the 13th century and it continued in use until the Reformation. The sons of the Earl of Clanricarde destroyed it in 1576 when they sacked the town.The first record we have of the Lambert Family is from the Vestry Book dated 1826, held at the Library of the Representative Church Body, and is on the first page. It names Peter Lambert and John H. Blakeney as Church Wardens for the coming period. At the Easter meeting of the Select VestryCommittee of 1828, Peter Lambert is appointed Church Warden again.Throughout the following decades, members of the Lambert family served in the capacity of Church Wardens, Vestrymen, members of the Select Vestry, Parochial Nominators, and Synodsmen. This, of course, meant that they played a very active role in the parochial life of the Church, which also included overseeing maintenance, repairs and alterations at St. Mary’s.At various times, one finds in the Vestry Book records of several members of the family serving the Church as Vestrymen at the same time, as in 1887, when W. P. Lambert, F. R. Lambert, P. F. Lambert and J. W. A. Lambert, with others, were serving.The Church lost two of its most loyal members in 1892 when Walter P. Lambert died, and in 1894, with the death of Peter Lambert. In a tribute to W. P. Lambert, it was recorded in the Vestry Book of 1892 a note of Condolence to Mrs. Lambert: ‘Mr. Lambert had, ever since the disestablishment of our church, been a member of this vestry and was one that ever took a deep interest in the advancement not alone of this parish but in anything that was done for the good of the church in the diocese and on his death had bequeathed a legacy of £3,000 to the Church of Ireland.’ In a most generous endowment, W. P. Lambert gave £3,000 to the Church. This was to yield an interest of £70 annually, which was of great assistance in the maintenance of St. Mary’s. Peter Lambert also made an endowment and likewise it helped. Apart from general maintenance, problems arose with the Tower and the Spire in the late 1890s.It is recorded in the Irish Ecclesiastical Gazette of Friday, December 8th 1893; ‘two stained glass windows representing respectively the Resurrection and Ascension of Our Lord have been erected in Athenry Church, Co. Galway, in memory of the late Major Lopdell, Raheen Park and Mrs. Weston, daughter of the late Walter P Lambert Esq., Castle Ellen and her son and brother. The windows are the work of Mayer and Company, Munich, and are very beautiful. The Right Rev. the Lora’ Bishop of Tuam preached on the occasion, dedicating the windows to the ‘Glory of God and in memory of the above ever to be remembered and revered names’. In 1894, Mrs. W. P. Lambert had a stained glass window erected to the memory of her son, Peter.In 1903, because of poor attendance and cost of maintenance of both Athenry and Monivea Churches, it was proposed to amalgamate them. This was opposed particularly, it is noted, by the widows of gentlemen who had served many years as Vestrymen. Mrs. Mary Lambert is recorded as being vehemently opposed, saying her father-in-law, Mr. W. P. Lambert, had endowed Athenry Church for the purpose of benefiting its members.In 1912 Walter P. Lambert was serving on the Select Vestry and was also a Synodsman. By 1921, the Union of Athenry and Monivea had taken place.In 1919 is recorded the death of Captain Lambert, Taylor’s Hill. In 1922 again the Church receives a Lambert bequest – that of Peter Lambert and once again, interest of £70 per annum is recorded. Records of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials of Lamberts are held in the Record Books at theRepresentative Church Body Library in Dublin. The last entry in the Vestry Book was made by Canon North Bomford in 1960, being Rector from 1924. He died in 1968 and is buried in the Catholic Cemetery and sadly, St. Mary’s closed for worship. However after a period of being home to the local troupe of Scouts it is now – 1999 – home to the Athenry Heritage Centre and members of the Lambert family have once again become associated with St. Mary’s.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=294" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2021-02-03T20:39:38+00:00">3rd February 2021</time><time class="updated" datetime="2022-01-03T19:31:33+00:00">3rd January 2022</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-292" class="post-292 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=292" rel="bookmark">The Galway Blazers – Lambert Legacy?</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <h2></h2> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><br>The following are the minutes of the first meeting at which the County Galway Hunt ‘The Blazers’ was established. Tradition has it that it was named the ‘Blazers’ because of the many hot headed and hot-blooded young gentlemen who were partial to settling their disputes by the outlawed method of dueling.  Another story is told that during a celebration after a hunt when the hotel in which they were staying, Dooley’s Hotel in Birr, got burnt down.  <br><br>The following is an extract from ‘The Galway Blazers – Memoirs’ by Edmund Mahony and is published here with kind permission.<br><br>‘At a preliminary Meeting held in the Coffee Room of the Grand Jury Room, on March 25th 1839. Sir M. D. Bellew, Bart. in the Chair.’<br>1. Moved by Walter Lambert Esq. of Castlelambert, – seconded by John W. Lambert Esq. of Aggard, <br>‘<em>That sensible of the advantages to be derived from the existence of the County Hunt, similar to such as have been established in other parts of Ireland, by affording  more  regular enjoyment of the sport, and promoting the general intercourse of the residents within these districts, we are of the opinion that a Hunt should be established in this Count’. </em><br>2. Moved by Denis Daly Esq. of Dunsandle, and seconded by Pierce Joyce Esq. of Merview. ‘<em>That subscription be forthwith opened with a view to carry the above resolution into effect, and that our Secretary be requested to communicate with the Noblemen and Gentlemen of this County upon the subject’.</em><br><br>3. Moved by John Martyn Esq. of Tullira and seconded by Robert Bodkin Esq. of Annagh. ‘ <em>That the annual subscription be payable at the Spring Assizes in each year, and that no person subscribing less than five pounds be admissible as a Member of the Hunt’”.</em><br><br>4. Moved by John O’Neill Esq. of Bunnown and seconded by Chas. Lynch Esq. <em>‘That Robert Bodkin Esq. be requested to act as Treasurer and Thomas N. Redington Esq. as Secretary, till next Assizes when a General Meeting will be held for the purpose of selecting a Managing Committee and making other arrangements’.</em><br><br>5. Moved by Burton Persse Esq. of Moyode Castle and seconded by S. Wade Esq. of Fairfield. ‘ <em>That this meeting do adjourn till the 24th May 1839 at Monahan’s Hotel, Loughrea.’<br></em><br>Signed M. D. Bellew, Chairman.<br> <br>‘At a Meeting of the County Galway Hunt held in the County Court House Galway.  July 26th 1839.’ M. J. Browne Esq. of Moyne in the Chair. <br><br>‘The following resolutions were unanimously adopted.’ <br>I. Moved by Pierce Joyce Esq. of Merview, seconded by W. Lambert Esq. of Aggard, ‘<em>That Thos Redington Esq. MP be requested to continue as Secretary and Robert Bodkin Esq. as Treasurer’.</em><br><br>2. Moved by Patrick Lynch Esq. of Moyne Hill, and seconded by Sam Wade Esq. of Fairfield,- <em>‘That John Dennis Esq. of Carraroe be appointed Master of the Hounds, to act according to the Regulations of the Committee, and that the following Members of the Hunt be named as a Committee: </em><br><br>The Marquis of Clanrickarde<br>The Hon. A. Nugent Sir M. Bellew<br>Bt. T. Redington, Esq.<br>MP Denis Daly, Esq.<br>Christopher St. George, Esq. M. J. Browne,<br>Esq. J. W. Lambert,<br>Esq. Robert Bodkin,<br>Esq. Burton Persse,<br>Esq. Pierce Joyce, Esq.<br>Three to be a quorum.’ <br><br>Former Masters and Joint Masters of The Galway Blazers while the Lambert families lived in Ireland.  <br>Mr. John Dennis …….1839-1850  <br>Mr. Burton Persse ……1852-1885 <br>Mr. T. Anderson……..1885-1886 <br>Major Butson ………..1886-1888 <br>Mr. de Burgh Persse….1888-1890  <br>The Lord Clanmorris…1890-1895 <br>Mr. Vaughan Williams.1895-1897 <br>A Committee…………1897-1899  \<br><br>John W. Lambert of Aggard as a member of the County Galway Hunt committee signed the contract for the first Master: John Dennis, Esq. <br><br>Mr. de Burgh Persse lived in Castle Lambert House and kenneled his hounds there during his Mastership.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=292" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2021-02-03T20:37:59+00:00">3rd February 2021</time><time class="updated" datetime="2022-01-03T19:31:49+00:00">3rd January 2022</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-289" class="post-289 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=289" rel="bookmark">The Edward Carson Link.</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><strong><br>The letter of congratulations from the Youth of Athenry to the leaders who signed the historic Good Friday Peace Agreement states that Athenry has cultural links with both sides.</strong><br></p> <p><br><strong>Aggie Qualter in ‘Athenry 1989’ told us that “Edward Carson was born to Elizabeth Lambert of Castle-Ellen, Athenry in 1854. His father was a well-known Architect. Carson was a very important man in British politics and few others achieved his status. His sole aim was to protect the Union with Britain. The Home Rule Bill put on the Statute Book in 1914 saw the defeat of the Union for Carson.</strong><br><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Edward Carson and </strong>Oscar Wilde<strong> were great pals as youngsters and spent many happy holidays together at Castle Ellen. The close friendship continued while students at Trinity until Wilde at twenty distinguished himself by winning a scholarship to Oxford. They parted ways and did not meet again for over twenty years when they confronted each other at the famous Oscar Wilde Trial. Carson was then an eminent Barrister defending the Marquis of Queensbury. How strange the trick of fate! Carson’s legal strategy and cross-examination succeeded in cracking Wilde’s evidence. The rest is history, which makes a sad and tragic story.</strong></p> <p><br><strong> The word “Athenry” had a golden ring for Carson.  He spent much of his youth and student holidays at Castle Ellen and had a great relationship with the surrounding tenantry. Many a time he swung the hurley with the local lads. When Carson was at the centre of power, many people from the district were known to have approached or written to him asking that he use his influence in various ways in their favour. At all times he went out of his way to help. A reference from Carson was the sure passport to success. During his frequent and prolonged visits to Athenry in the early 1880s, Carson was known as a friendly popular young man. He attended the fairs and markets for the “crack” and chatted and joked with the people in the pubs. My father (Murty Cannon) who knew him in the course of his duties said, Ned Carson was a decent chap – a man of the people.’</strong><br><strong>  </strong></p> <p><strong>Ann Healy in “Athenry, a Brief History and Guide” writes</strong><br><strong>‘His mother was Elizabeth Lambert, of Castle Ellen, Sister of Walter Lambert who was the landlord there.  He played hurling with the Cussaun team and tried in vain to introduce the game of hurling to the playing fields of Trinity College.</strong></p> <p><br><strong> In The Athenry Journal Vol.1 No.2 [1995] Dominic Monaghan writes that Michael Keaney the present owner of Castle Ellen recently wrote to the Northern Secretary – Sir Patrick Mayhew – inviting him to Castle Ellen. Michael stressed the links with northern unionism and in particular that of Sir Edward Carson. He outlined the role Castle Ellen could play in the important peace process taking place at the moment. Michael expected nothing more to come from this until about a week later a letter arrived from Hillsborough, Co. Down. The Northern Secretary’s reply was swift and he outlined in it the reasons why he could not come although he acknowledged that the importance of the place was quite significant regarding the present impasse in the peace process. Nothing greatly unusual in this you might say except it was a reply from the Northern Secretary but the reply was written not in the Queen’s own language but ‘as Gaeilge’’.</strong></p> <p><br><strong> Athenry was always a meeting place – a crossroads. The river ford, which gives Athenry its name – Baile Átha ‘n Rí, is where the east-west route along the Esker Riada crosses the most westerly direct route north-south.  It played a similar role in more recent times when Athenry became the main east-west, north-south junction in the railway network. In Lambert’s time travellers from Dublin had a long delay in Athenry before the train left for Gort. <em>Edward Carson, Oscar Wilde, William Butler Yeats, A.E. Russell, Edward Martyn, The Persses from Dunsandle, Belleville and Roxborough, Lady Gregory (originally a Persse from Roxborough)</em> <em>were familiar with and spent time in Athenry</em></strong></p> <p></p> <p><br><strong> This inspired <a href="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/adc/sheaney.html">Patrick Fallon</a> [1905 –1974] to write‘Yeats in Athenry perhaps’.We had our towers too, a large stone soldiery at bridge and gateway, they were the whole town once; And I could have nodded to him from the top tendrils of ivy or a jackdaw’s nest; But I’d never heard of him, the famous poet, who lived as the crow flies fifteen miles away. Certainly, he’d have touched us changing trains for Gort, having hours to idle, shared the silence of our small town shell; Maybe he passed me by. In a narrow-gutted street, an aimlessStraying Gentleman, and IThe jerseyed fellow driving out the cows.’ </strong><br><strong> Another connection with Ulster was the Lopdell family who lived in Raheen House in Athenry. In her youth, Aggie Qualter believed ‘they grew oranges in Raheen’. Her father had told her that ‘a Lopdell who came here from the North was the first to put his name to the Black Petition 1845 – in fact it was his brainchild – it was the Protestant’s answer to ‘Boycott’ hence the name ‘Black Protestants’.</strong><br><strong> “Major Lopdell lived in the Town House before Raheen House was built. He was killed at the railway station – falling between the train and the platform. Their son was Premier for a short time. The Unionists overthrew him because he was a moderate.</strong><br><strong>The ‘Tower’ in Coshla, Athenry was built to a height of about 12ft. on a vantage point on their land by the Kidd family from Dungannon in Co. Tyrone. They flew the Union Jack on it on the 12th. of July every year.</strong><br><strong> Major Hall’s daughter from Knockbrack, Athenry, married Sir Norman Stronge of Tynan Abbey, Co. Armagh. He and his son were victims of assassination later in the North.</strong><br><strong>On the other side of the coin, Ann Healy tells us in her book ‘the most famous person associated with Athenry is undoubtedly Liam Mellowes. His courageous contribution to the shaping of modern Irish history is strongly commemorated in Athenry today. A bronze bust of Mellowes is prominently displayed in front of Athenry Boys National School and the Agricultural College has been named after him.</strong><br><strong> Mellowes, born in Lancashire in 1892, to Irish parents was appointed a provincial instructor at the Volunteer Convention in 1914. His task was to rebuild the organisation as a mass movement. Asked to take responsibility for south Galway. Mellowes came to Athenry on October 31st. 1914 and used it as his base. Larry Lardner, who kept a small bar, was the officer in charge in Athenry. The I.R.B. and the Volunteers under Mellowes carried out an intensive training course in the Town Hall where a rifle range was set up in the backyard. Liam stayed at Sean Brodericks for some time but later changed to Frank Hynes’ house in order to have easy and secret access in and out of town through Leonard’s Lawn.</strong><br><strong> The local leaders of the Volunteers were John Cleary, Stephen Jordan, Frank Hynes, Jim Barrett, Sean Broderick, and Commanding Officer Larry Lardner. Athenry was the centre of insurgent communication during Easter week in 1916. There was much confusion as garbled messages were coming through. Larry Lardner, with 500 men, took the Agricultural College. Mellowes and companies from Kinvara, Kilcolgan, Killeeneen and Craughwell later joined him in Moyode Castle (home of Burton Persse who was in England at the time) and took command of it. They were joined by companies from Tuam, Dunmore and Castlegar. Members of the Cumann na mBan joined the volunteers to help them. A few days later Fr. Tom Fahy cycled to Moyode with the new that Dublin was in flames and the leaders had been captured. A man from Moyode identified twelve of the volunteers and they were imprisoned in Wormwood Scrubs Prison where they remained until 1917. They were known locally as the twelve apostles and were identified as Thomas Barrett and Charlie Whyte Caheroyan, the O’Grady brothers Church Street, Martin Hansberry Rahard, Peter Murray Derrydonnell, Michael Higgins Castlelambert, Patch and Thomas Kennedy Sliabh Rua, Hack Hanniffy Tallyhoe, Murty Fahy Sliabh Rua and Michael Donoghue.</strong><br><strong> The fate of Liam Mellows has been well documented and his eventful life makes him a larger than life sort of character. He spent his last days fighting with O’Conor in the Four Courts. He was arrested and shot as a reprisal on the 8th December 1922.</strong></p> <p><br><strong>The bust of Liam Mellowes, recently stolen but now thankfully returned to its pedestal at the Boy’s National School, a place I might add which was often visited by Gerry Adams the Leader of Sinn Féin.</strong><br><strong> In the spring of 1972 after ‘Bloody Sunday’ the people of the Parish of Athenry made a collection in aid of the residents of the Bogside in Derry. Mickey Hession and Jim Ruane accompanied by Paul Waldron and I, (Finbarr O’Regan) met John Hume M.P. in the City Hotel and presented him with the gift. I teach in Carnaun National School, the ‘nicest school in Ireland’ – newly re-furbished, clean, bright, airy and warm. Walter Lambert of Castle Ellen – uncle of Edward Carson, donated the land for this school to the Parish in 1891. We moved the school to Castle Ellen House for a while in the early 60s during renovations. Since then, however, the numbers on Rolls have gone from 150 then to 36 this year.</strong></p> <p><br><strong>Our school children also have links with the North, a school in the Waterside in Derry – <a href="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/carnaun/stcolumba.html">St. Columba’s Primary</a>– for the past year and we hope to visit them this summer and learn from each other.  The highlight of our visit to Derry with be meeting with John Hume while on our side his good friend Noel Treacy, Minister for Enterprise and Employment, will ‘hold the fort’ when they come to see us.</strong><br><strong>     Years ago, as a young boy, when I once was ‘fed up’ mucking out Raheen Stables with an ‘antique’- a big, thick, ignorant, ungainly, timber wheelbarrow with a heavy and equally thick iron-shod timber wheel, I could have been in Pakie Fallon’s eyes the jerseyed fellow who burnt Lopdell’s wheelbarrow on the St. John’s Eve bonfire.</strong></p> <p><strong>Finbarr O’Regan.</strong></p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=289" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2021-02-03T20:35:38+00:00">3rd February 2021</time><time class="updated" datetime="2022-04-24T22:53:04+01:00">24th April 2022</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-287" class="post-287 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=287" rel="bookmark">Castle Ellen House</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <h3>C<strong>astle Ellen House</strong></h3> <p><strong> About four miles out on the Tuam road on the right-hand side is the entrance to Castle Ellen House, the residence of the Lambert family since the beginning of the 1800s. Castle Ellen’s historical lineage centres principally on its occupants (rather than its architecture) the most infamous of course being <a href="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/adc/cellen.html#carson">Sir Edward Carson</a> whose mother, Elizabeth, was born and lived at <a href="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/adc/lambert2.html#CastleEllen">Castle Ellen</a>. </strong></p> <p></p> <p><strong><img loading="lazy" height="168" width="270" src="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/adc/imageM57.JPG"></strong></p> <p></p> <p><strong>The history surrounding the people who lived and visited the ‘big house’ has been well documented by such local historians as the late Aggie Qualter and more recently a fine historical account written by Ann Healy in the Tuam Herald some years back. But what about the Castle Ellen of today? The owner of Castle Ellen house prior to the present owner was a Mrs MacNally who sold the house and surrounding property to the Land Commission in 1969. During the 1960s and into the 1970s much of the house and outhouses have been stripped of any valuable items such as fireplaces and furniture. The lead was taken from the roof causing untold damage in the process. Cut stone and timber was taken away for the construction of various schools and churches. In less than ten years, during this period, Castle Ellen was almost unrecognisable and destined for an end similar to that of Belleville, Moyode and Dunsandle. Luckily though fortune changed just in the nick of time and Castle Ellen was saved from certain destruction. The person responsible for this change is the present owner – Michael Keaney.</strong></p> <p><strong>           <a href="http://homepage.tinet.ie/~foregan/adc/lambert2.html#CastleEllen">Castle Ellen</a> was bought by Michael in the early 1970s for £4,500, a considerable sum at that time considering you could buy a car for £700- £800.  This included a house, a fine yard and about 13 acres of land, most of which is covered by forest.  Michael immediately set about restoring the big house and the extensive number of outhouses attached to it. The house was built about 1810. Perhaps lean times prevailed then as the house does not contain a lot of cut stone – a feature of houses built during this time. Instead undressed limestone with a rubble filling forms the main material in the construction of the house.  The outhouses which form the yard were built much later than the house – around the 1870s.  They are impressively built of the finest cut stone and as such have survived, miraculously, intact – apart from some quoin stones taken from the entrance arch to the yard.  It appears that during the construction of the yard the fine entrance porch – of cut limestone – was added to the main house giving it added status and bringing it in line with other stately houses. In fact the contrast between this decorative ionic porch and the simple plainness of the house gives it a uniqueness all of its own.</strong>  </p> <p><strong>           The first item on Michael’s work list was the roof of the house, badly damaged over time by vandalism, weather and neglect by indifferent owners.  Expense required that this job was tackled over time and an indication of its cost can be got from the fact that he has only just completed this work.  The huge interior of the house is being restored on a room by room basis and it is here that much work remains to be done.  Luckily enough Michael, a civil engineer with Galway Corporation, can call on his own expertise in this regard.  Castle Ellen is a haven for all sorts of artists – be it poets, sculptors, playwrights or painters.  Many come out from Galway simply to take time out and reflect on their careers in beautiful idyllic surroundings. Many more come directly to Castle Ellen to get their ‘start’ in the artistic world and indeed Michael informs me that a number of artists have got the start they needed at Castle Ellen.  They have a very enthusiastic host in Michael and rent is simply a matter of ones means to pay.  Alternatively rent may be supplemented by odd ‘jobs around the yard and house particularly if one is handy at carving or stonework etc.  Castle Ellen is opened to the public by Michael, so it is in effect a public amenity and a very important one close to home.  I myself will admit that I was not aware of this until quite recently.  I found it strange when I had to drive to Coole Park to enjoy similar walks and quietness to that obtained at Castle Ellen.  Indeed Castle Ellen is even more special than many contemporary estates of its period.  Firstly, it is open to the public and secondly its reason for being – the house – is still standing as spectacular as ever today.</strong>  </p> <p><strong>           Michael is well aware of the historical value attached to Castle Ellen and this explains largely why he is so keen in maintaining and restoring many of its features.  Recently he renovated one of the outhouses and uses it as a small museum, but much work remains to be done here.  A particular item which Michael has in his possession deserves special mention here. Sometime ago Michael wrote to the Northern Secretary – Sir Paddy Mayhew inviting him down to Castle Ellen. Michael stressed to Paddy the links of Castle Ellen with northern unionism and in particular that of Sir Edward Carson.  He outlined the role Castle Ellen could play in the important peace process taking place at present.  Michael expected nothing more to come from this until about a week later a letter arrived from Hillsborough, Co. Down.  The Northern Secretary’s reply was swift and he outlined in it his reasons why he could not come although he acknowledged that the importance of the place was quite significant regarding the present impasse in the peace process, Nothing greatly unusual in this you might say except it was a reply from the Northern Secretary but the reply was written not in the Queen’s own language but ‘as gaeilge’.</strong>  </p> <p><strong>           Michael informs me that visitors are welcome to Castle Ellen to walk around, relax and browse about.  The best visiting times are Monday to Friday between 11 am and 4 pm.  Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, Michael himself works Monday to Friday and so the weekend is devoted to essential maintenance and on going construction work, work which he is unable to carry out during the week.  So he would appreciate if people would hold out on week-ends for the present.  A guide is available Monday to Friday for the above hours.  There is no charge as such but a voluntary donation would be very much appreciated.  A box for this purpose is located just inside the main door of the house.  Michael receives a tiny, insignificant tax relief on raw materials used for the house, for opening his house to the public.  All restoration work is funded entirely out of Michael’s own pocket and he has to pay a guide and provide accommodation for budding artists.  Finally, while in the house, have a look at the fine mirrors and particularly the beautiful double stairway leading down to the main hall.  A puzzling feature within is the number of small school desks neatly packed in rows along the hallway.  This may stem from its use as a temporary school while Carnaun was being repaired.  Perhaps some of the readers of this article have pleasant memories of childhood days at Castle Ellen.</strong>  <br>  </p> <p><strong>By Dominic Monaghan</strong>  </p> <p><strong>This article was originally published in the Athenry Journal and appears here with the kind permission of the editor Mr. Finbarr O’Regan.</strong>  </p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=287" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2021-02-03T20:29:50+00:00">3rd February 2021</time><time class="updated" datetime="2022-01-03T19:31:59+00:00">3rd January 2022</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-238" class="post-238 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-blacksmithing tag-cummann-na-bhfear"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=238" rel="bookmark">Cumann na bhfear- Open Day at Castle Ellen House: Sunday 11th Nov 2018 at 2pm-5pm.</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><img src="https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/45390911_1121112981397816_8850690388776714240_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=6fdda6ed47a4d0578b0e17187447ce91&oe=5C430BE1" alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing, outdoor and food" /></p> <p>Sunday 11th Nov 2018 from 14:00-17:00</p> <p>See Cummann na Bhfear demonstate traditional blacksmithing at Castle Ellen House this coming Sunday.<br /> Contact Michael on 087-274-7692 to reserve your place.</p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=238" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published updated" datetime="2018-11-05T14:38:12+00:00">5th November 2018</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span><span class="tags-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Tags </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=blacksmithing" rel="tag">blacksmithing</a>, <a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=cummann-na-bhfear" rel="tag">Cummann na Bhfear</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-148" class="post-148 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-bahrain-reunion"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=148" rel="bookmark">Bahrain 1978/1979 reunion (15th Sept 2018)</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Time: From 18:00hrs –22:00 hrs</p> <p>Location: The Long Room Castle Ellen House</p> <p>Booking through castle@castleellen.com</p> <p>A gathering for Irish families that lived and worked in Bahrain in 1978/1979.</p> <p><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-151" src="http://www.castleellen.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BahrainFlags-1.jpg" alt="BahrainFlags (1).jpg" width="400" height="300" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BahrainFlags-1.jpg 400w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/BahrainFlags-1-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 85vw, 400px" /></p> <p>See event details on Facebook under Castle Ellen House</p> <p> </p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=1">Admin</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=148" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published updated" datetime="2018-04-07T18:54:51+01:00">7th April 2018</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span><span class="tags-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Tags </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=bahrain-reunion" rel="tag">bahrain Reunion</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-98" class="post-98 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-castle-ellen tag-castles-ireland tag-lambert-athenry tag-lamberts-of-castle-ellen"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=98" rel="bookmark">See Castle Ellen on the Discover Ireland Website</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p>Click on the picture below to see Castle Ellen on Discover Ireland’s Website</p> <p><a href="http://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/castle-ellen-house/90212"><img loading="lazy" class="" src="http://tcsinfoland.ireland.ie/Content/multimedia/images/90212_175449_castleEllen1.jpg" alt="Castle Ellen House-" width="564" height="376" /></a></p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=2">ICAN Acoustics</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=98" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2015-02-15T22:30:50+00:00">15th February 2015</time><time class="updated" datetime="2018-08-03T12:22:31+01:00">3rd August 2018</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span><span class="tags-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Tags </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=castle-ellen" rel="tag">castle ellen</a>, <a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=castles-ireland" rel="tag">castles ireland</a>, <a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=lambert-athenry" rel="tag">lambert athenry</a>, <a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?tag=lamberts-of-castle-ellen" rel="tag">lamberts of castle ellen</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-86" class="post-86 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=86" rel="bookmark">Some old newspaper ads.</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sale-of-castle-ellen-connact-tribune-nov-1921.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-87" src="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sale-of-castle-ellen-connact-tribune-nov-1921.jpg?w=300" alt="Sale of Castle Ellen Connact Tribune Nov 1921" width="300" height="225" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sale-of-castle-ellen-connact-tribune-nov-1921.jpg 629w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sale-of-castle-ellen-connact-tribune-nov-1921-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" /></a> <a href="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sports-and-pastimes.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-88" src="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/sports-and-pastimes.jpg?w=300" alt="Sports and Pastimes" width="300" height="214" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sports-and-pastimes.jpg 522w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/sports-and-pastimes-300x214.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 85vw, 300px" /></a></p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=2">ICAN Acoustics</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=86" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2015-02-15T22:14:45+00:00">15th February 2015</time><time class="updated" datetime="2018-08-03T12:22:17+01:00">3rd August 2018</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span class="screen-reader-text">Categories </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?cat=2" rel="category">News</a></span> </footer> </article> <article id="post-57" class="post-57 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-news tag-castle-athenry tag-castle-elen tag-castle-ellen-athenry tag-michael-keaney"> <header class="entry-header"> <h2 class="entry-title"><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=57" rel="bookmark">Some photos of Castle Ellen</a></h2> </header> <div class="entry-content"> <p><a href="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert4.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-60" src="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert4.jpg?w=242" alt="Mr Lambert4" width="582" height="721" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert4-242x300.jpg 242w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert4-825x1024.jpg 825w" sizes="(max-width: 582px) 85vw, 582px" /></a><a href="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert3.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-59" src="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert3.jpg?w=300" alt="Mr Lambert3" width="579" height="423" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert3.jpg 1273w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert3-300x219.jpg 300w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert3-768x560.jpg 768w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert3-1024x747.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 579px) 85vw, 579px" /></a><a href="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-58" src="https://castleellenhouse.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/mr-lambert2.jpg?w=235" alt="Mr Lambert2" width="578" height="738" srcset="http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert2.jpg 1017w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert2-235x300.jpg 235w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert2-768x979.jpg 768w, http://www.castleellen.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/mr-lambert2-803x1024.jpg 803w" sizes="(max-width: 578px) 85vw, 578px" /></a></p> </div> <footer class="entry-footer"> <span class="byline"><span class="author vcard"><img alt='' src='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=49&d=mm&r=g' srcset='http://2.gravatar.com/avatar/2e31add063cd248b028b387298ba4314?s=98&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-49 photo' height='49' width='49' loading='lazy'/><span class="screen-reader-text">Author </span> <a class="url fn n" href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?author=2">ICAN Acoustics</a></span></span><span class="posted-on"><span class="screen-reader-text">Posted on </span><a href="http://www.castleellen.ie/?p=57" rel="bookmark"><time class="entry-date published" datetime="2015-02-15T22:01:35+00:00">15th February 2015</time><time class="updated" datetime="2018-08-03T12:22:40+01:00">3rd August 2018</time></a></span><span class="cat-links"><span 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