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TUBBRID CASTLE HAS the ‘wow’ factor on many levels. Firstly, there’s the impressive fact that you’re staying in a castle. Secondly, there’s the stunning contemporary design that still leaves the ancient walls to do all the talking.
Thirdly, there’s the touching story of its restoration journey. After almost 20 years of interior and exterior works, Tubbrid Castle – a 15th century tower house – officially came back to life last month.
“Seeing each guest’s reaction as they walk through the door is very special, as there were times in the past few years when I wasn’t sure I’d ever get the castle to that point,” says owner John Campion.
The northwest Kilkenny tower house was an uninhabited, roofless ruin for over a century, but you wouldn’t know it today.
Campion’s father, John Sr, was one of eleven children who grew up in a nearby cottage:
When my dad and his siblings were young, they used to race along the top of the roofless castle’s walls, 70 feet in the air.
After John Sr retired, he turned his attention to a lifelong dream: restoring the ruins.
“It was a mammoth undertaking,” recalls the younger Campion. “My mother thought it was a crazy idea, and it was, but she was by my father’s side every step of the way.”
When the elder Campion was diagnosed with a form of dementia that left him unable to complete the project, his son took over the work.
Dad had put such huge effort into saving the castle from falling down, I felt it would be a shame not to complete the task.
Despite moving to Dublin for work midway through the project, Campion was able to finish oversee the final restoration of Tubbrid Castle and open the door to guests in April 2019.
Sadly, John Sr passed away in August, 2018, just missing the end of the restoration. “He was laid to rest in the local cemetery, within sight of the castle he saved.”
Campion employed local builders to install Kilkenny limestone flagstone flooring, doors of Irish oak, and a roof of local slate, supported by impressive oak beams held together with dowels and pegs — there’s not a single nail or screw to be found.
Campion engaged a local designer to help put a light touch on the interior that would allow the original architectural features to shine through.
For guests, the castle is far from a rustic experience, though. Super king beds, rainforest showers and a bathtub that fits neatly into a century-old breach in the eight-feet-thick walls all bring luxurious touches that make it a retreat fit for a king or queen.
And when you tire of gazing out those eight-foot-thick walls onto the surrounding countryside, there is, of course, much to do in the surrounding area.
Campion makes a few recommendations:
In Kilkenny City, the Medieval Mile Museum gives an accessible and immersive introduction to the city’s history. The top of St Canice’s Cathedral is a steep climb but you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful vista over the marble city.
For foodie guests, great restaurants include the Michelin-starred Campagne and classic Italian fare at Ristorante Rinuccini, while the Smithwicks Brewery has recently started giving tours and tastings.
Meanwhile, closer to Tubbrid Castle, the Valley Inn is a traditional rural pub that often has live music at weekends, and the Crag Loop is a gentle 6km hike that’ll help shake off the cobwebs next morning.
As staycation venues go, Tubbrid Castle would certainly make for an impressive Monday-morning tale at the office.
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‘Government wants to know how much the clean-up bill for Storm Emma is going to cost’
the taxpayer.
@David Sinclair: As opposed to who David, given taxes fund public spending?
@David Sinclair: as opposed to who David does minister Murphy have a money tree out the back of Dáil Éireann that he shakes in case of emergency.
Just clarifying things in case the message fails to get communicated.
@Tom Harpur: Yes they seem to be able to find copious amounts of money when they want to!
@David Sinclair: bad weather damages infrastructure and requires capital investment. They might have to bring forward some repair work. This needs forecasting, what’s the big deal?
I must say though I have extra respect for all the farmers now who helped dig out the more isolated roads. Spare a thought for them when there’s a late start to spring and they need support to feed their livestock.
Not as much as cleaning up the tidal wave of corruption that besets this once fine nation!
On another matter I see the comments on Anglo Irish Banking enquiry into Siteserve and other matters has already been suspended!
@Jarlath Murphy: Shallow and tired click-bait. Ata boy Jarlath.
@Jarlath Murphy: All aboard the censorship. No one is allowed to question the slurping activities of the fat pigs at the trough.
@MK76: Yet you felt compelled to respond?
Shallow and tired, like the hackneyed
Strategic Communications Unit Mess?
@Patricia McCarthy: They have their pathetically sad sycophantic acolytes defending their excesses, as they wat in solemn servitude for an opportunity to slurp at the trough!
Sad specimens!
@Jarlath Murphy: Ah, sure that’s more of it now Jarlath. Yaaaaaaawn.
@MK76: while pretending not to care you still feel compelled to respond?
@Jarlath Murphy: Just trying to help someone who is clearly craving attention Jarlath. The content of your messages are utter tripe, but maybe you’re just lonely.
@MK76: Your concern is touching, perhaps I can move in with you?
@Jarlath Murphy: when was it a fine nation?
@Jarlath Murphy: Couldn’t listen to your empty rhetoric and opaque political musings, but there’s someone for everyone, so hang in there.
@MK76: They say there’s a match for a beetle and you’ve clearly found yours!
In the meantime I hear they are planning on rebranding the Strategic Communications Unit.
Can you confirm?
@Ohhh_reeally: Before you clearly!
@Jarlath Murphy: How would I be able to conf…….wait a minute….
Jarlath, you rascal you. You’re intimating I’m somehow part of FGs communications unit, because I’m calling you out for your moronic posts.
You’re as clever as you are original. How are you still single?
@MK76: What you mean your not on the pay roll!
How disappointing!
For you!
@MK76: AK47 does a lot of yawning but can’t seem to just close his bullying gob for its own absence of sense defending this joke of a government, nit picking as usual while ignoring all the other articles on the journal; Macabe,spin and the hse mess. Go off to sleep you must have insomnia worrying about your peacock Leo. Say goodnight to @Frank Murphy for me ;(
@Jarlath Murphy: Rebranding SCUT? No. I hope not. It should remain as SCUT. Strategic Communication Unit Trolls.
Such an appropriate title.
@MK76: AK47= moronic yawn
@Declan: There you are Jarlath. Declan and yourself seem like a match made in heaven.
@MK76: Don’t worry, you got to believe that there’s someone for you!
Just hold on in there, you may end up with a rich bankster, a bulging pocket full of water options and a very short cough!
Alternatively you may even get elected!
@Patricia McCarthy:
General Independent Managerial Processors
Not sure what that will be shortened too?
They don’t wanna be asking The Gardaí how much it’ll be, figure they’ll get back would be either 76trillion euro or a fiver
We pay taxes. Deal with it.
@Tony Joyce: ‘HOUSING MINISTER EOGHAN Murphy today expressed his appreciation for the “whole-of-government” support during the severe weather last week.
While he acknowledged the situation is not over for everyone around the country, the minister told his Cabinet colleagues that the management of the cold weather conditions “went to plan”.
He should get a t shirt with a hand slapping his back. It woudl save him having to do it himself all the time. Does this guy ever stfu about how good he and the govermnemt are?
Didn’t cost a penny in my estate r any estate I’d say as no council worker to be seen…ah we have to keep the main roads etc our number one priority…surely they could provide more resources/funding for estates so people can get around and get about…
@Gareth Fitzpatrick:
Alternatively you could set up a resistance committee and buy a few shovels. There is no law against getting up off your arse and doing something to contribute
@Nick Allen:
Residents*
@Nick Allen: I and most of the neighbours that were young enough all did that…your smartarse comment is really appreciated..
@Nick Allen: I and most of the neighbours that were young enough all did that…your smart comment is really appreciated…
@Gareth Fitzpatrick:
Then what are you moaning about?
@Nick Allen: are you for real?? I’m so called moaning because why isn’t there enough resources for the council to do more I’m lucky enough to have a job…if they where given more funding they would be able to clear roads in estates so people Can get around…why should residents have to do it all?? I’m far from lazy but surely it would be under there job remit to do more locally??
Gov ain’t worried about how much their spin unit costs, not worried about how much their expensive 2040 and similar launches cost, not worried about how much their own advertising and self promotion costs, but worried about how much support they have to give out to the plebs after the storm and how much that’s going to inconvenience them.
After their spin unit failure and resultant bad publicity, gov wants to appear to be more honest with the public now, but the leopard doesn’t change it’s spots, their response will be to try harder to fool the nation!
The incompetent gov don’t seem to worry how much it’s gonna cost when it comes to their own salaries, very generous expenses, exorbitant pensions, extra payments for appearing on various gov committees, and ridiculous compensation packages.
Mattie McGrath TD and his family were out all during the snow clearing roads and helping stranded drivers with their heavy equipment at their own expense . Its great to see a politician talking the talk as well as walking the walk.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: lol dont kid yourself. A bill will go to the council. TDs arent in the charity business and the machinery and operators dont work on fresh air.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: He mustn’t have been able to get out to any funerals.
@Naoimh Ó Murchadha: Yes I heard about that because he and his organisation made danm sure to put out plenty of photos and social media updates about it. Meanwhile lots of ordinary people did stuff quietly and without a fuss.
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