Kilkea Castle, graveyard and pet cemetery
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- čas přidán 16. 12. 2021
- Sir Walter de Riddlesford built a motte and bailey on the site of Kilkea Castle in 1180. A granddaughter of his married Maurice Fitzgerald, 3rd baron of Offaly, and so the Manor of Kilkea came into the possession of the Fitzgeralds and was to remain in the family for over 700 years.
Sir Thomas de Rokeby, the Justiciar of Ireland, used the castle as his military base, and died here in 1356.
In 1414 the O'Mores and O'Dempsies wasted the English pale. According to Francis Grose's Antiquities of Ireland, "to curb their outrages, Thomas Crawley, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Justice, set out from Dublin, but proceeded no farther than Castledermot; the troops went forward under military leaders, he remaining engaged in processions and prayers for their success". According to Grose, the "enemy were defeated with great slaughter at Kilkea".Later, in 1426, John FitzGerald, 6th Earl of Kildare reputedly "strengthened Kilkea with so many new works, that he might be said almost to have new built it.
The castle is particularly associated with Gerald, the 11th Earl of Kildare known as the "Wizard Earl", who became the eldest male representative of the Geraldines when only 12 years of age after his half brother "Silken Thomas" the 10th Earl and five uncles were executed at Tyburn in 1537. The "Wizard Earl" escaped Ireland being sent to the continent to be educated, and following his return to Kildare and restoration to his titles his interest in alchemy caused much interest among his neighbours around Kilkea Castle and he was said to possess magic powers.
The 11th Earl (the "Wizard Earl") died in 1585 and is supposed to return to the castle every seventh year mounted on a silver-shod white charger. In 1634 the castle was leased to the Jesuit Order by the widow of the 14th Earl of Kildare and they remained there until 1646. That year the order entertained the Archbishop Rinuccini, Papal Nuncio to the Confederation of Kilkenny at Kilkea.
In the early 18th century, the 19th Earl of Kildare decided to make Carton House the family seat and Kilkea Castle was leased to a succession of tenants. One of these tenants was Thomas Reynolds, a Dublin silk merchant, who was a "friend" of Lord Edward FitzGerald, through whom Reynolds had become a United Irishman, only to become an informer. His role as informer did not prevent the castle (which had been renovated shortly before) being sacked by military during the rebellion. After Carton House was sold in 1949, Kilkea Castle became the seat of the 8th Duke of Leinster.
The castle and estate was sold by the Fitzgerald family in the early 1960s. Kilkea Castle was then run as a hotel for decades, but entered Examinership in 2009, as a result of the Irish financial crisis. It was closed and put up for sale in 2010. It was bought by an American business-man, Jay Cashman and has since reopened as a resort.
Graveyard
A small pet cemetery located under a tree at the back of the castle close to the road leading to the golf club house shows us another side of Lord Walters personality. As well as being a keen archaeologist and historian Lord Walter was also a dog lover as is clearly evident from his commissioning of stone memorials to mark the passing of his pet dogs.
Lord Walter died in 1923 and was buried in the nearby family graveyard a short distance from his beloved dogs.
Lord John FitzGerald (3 March 1952 - 3 August 2015), was an Irish nobleman, British Army Officer, racehorse trainer, and horseracing administrator.
Lord John was the second son of Gerald, 8th Duke of Leinster, and his second wife, Anne, daughter of Lt-Col Philip Smith, MC, TD. He was born in Dublin and educated at Millfield School, Street, Somerset.
Thank you D, I found some info and put it in description box but this is way cool ❤❤❤
So cool…
That was an absolute gem. You always find the most wonderful places.
This was a lucky one as the one I wanted to do didn't happen because of the bad weather, we just stopped here and found the graveyard and the two pet graves, how lucky ❤
Truly an amazing castle and I loved the cemetery. The crosses that were lying on the ground were spectacular. What a great alternative to the one you had planned to do. Thank you. Hugs!!!
Yes, sometimes life leeds us on a different path and well I think we found a really nice one here even if weather was not kind ❤❤❤
This is am amazing place!! Hundreds of years of history, with some interesting characters!! Thank you for sharing this gem!
Thanks Alan, yes it was stunning ❤❤
Absolutely amazing! Do you know if any part of the castle is original? It seems to have renovated many times.
Such history and amazing grounds! It would be beautiful at night, and gorgeous in the spring, I bet. Heat old cemetery and ruins.
What a magical country you live in, Sue. To be driving and come across such treasures scattered throughout. Ancient cemeteries, medieval castles, ruins of churches and monasteries, rich histories!
I have seen videos of such things in the rest of Europe, but they are nothing like what you have in Ireland. And we have absolutely nothing like this anywhere in the states.
It is quite magical and you are quite fortunate.☘️
Thanks Ben, I'm guessing it has been renovated many times, I put some info in the description box but not sure it mentioned any renovation , usually from what I've seen is every castle has had a fire at some stage so I wonder about this ❤❤ thanks Ben we are blessed
How beautiful! You take us on a tour with such respect for the graves. Love your videos. Such old graves. Thanks!
Thanks Liz, appreciate it ❤❤
All these places are like you got dropped into a fairytale! It would be great to stay at that castle/hotel,especially in the springtime. Loved the epitaph to the pets also. Another amazing video of Ireland,Sue.
Thanks Hans, me too, I looked online at the inside and it's gorgeous and not as expensive as I thought it would be, I love pet cemeteries, even though very small it was so nice to finally find one ❤❤
I read the description and Killkea Castle has a lot of fascinating history. Amazing castle and cemetery with many beautiful headstones. Love the detail in the Celtics crosses. The pets had beautiful headstones as well. Loved the walk by the river. Wonderful video as always. God Bless ❤ and take care
You know me NANA D, I had to take a look at the grounds, it was fantastic ❤ now the little river walk is where I would spend the rest of my days, so pretty ❤❤
Your old cemeteries are just beautiful. The stones are amazing. So sad to see the crumbling old churches though.
Yes very true Carol, I'm trying to find a photo as it would have looked but no joy yet ❤
What a cool graveyard, Sue! Thanks for taking us along!
Thank you Terri,❤❤
Hi Sue! Despite the weather that was fine coverage of a beautiful graveyard (with the golf cart rolling past). It seems that almost every ruined church in Ireland still has its bullaun Thanks also for the quick tour of the castle grounds. I'm guessing that staying there doesn't come cheap. 🇦🇺 🇮🇪
I looked 😉 actually not as expensive as I'd imagined, I'd love to, not for the golf though, just for the experience ❤❤
@@SerenitySueGraveyards Golf's not my idea of fun either. I stayed in some nice hotels in my day (a long time ago now) and a few of them were quite reasonable with their prices. One made me some of the best pizza I've ever had. 🇦🇺 🇮🇪
Hi from Ontario Canada. Anotherr gem you've found. Well done. I would like to point out that I laughed out loud when you read "laminated" Instead of "lamented'. Made for a great mental picture.
Oops, didn't notice 🤣🤣 that's my brain for ya, I read something but my mouth says something else, oh the joys of getting older ❤❤❤
Thank you for taking me to that beautiful place, a beautiful Video…🍀🌹
You are more than welcome ❤
Very cool! I love the Celtic crosses at this cemetery.
I adore the celtic crosses and those on the ground had amazing art work ❤
Another great video Sue! The history of the places you visit is just amazing.Much love from the 🇵🇭..Take care and God bless you ❤️
Thank you Marizza, welcome ❤❤
It's lively to be back watching your video now that I am out of hospital. This is an amazing Castle, woukd have been an enormous estate in its day, with all the gardens laud out perfectly. I loved the knot garden and the flowered walkway leading down to tge river. Parts of the Church was still standing beautiful built in its day. The memory of the family lives on with you reading their names. Thank you so much Sue, hope to catch up on the ones I've missed soon. 💕🇦🇺
Hi Liz you have been on my mind, I did find you on Facebook 2 days ago and was almost going to message you but I didn't want to be disrespectful or anything, was just wanting to check in, so now I'm thrilled you're here again, I hope all is good with you xx ❤❤
@@SerenitySueGraveyards thank you Sue, you are welcome to message me any time dear friend 💕🇦🇺
Hi Sue....just when I think you've outdone yourself with an amazing find, you outdo yourself with a new one! That long arched walkway at the end would look and smell amazing with my white wisteria in flower all over it, lol. Thank you for braving the elements, it's 39*c and very sweaty here. Deb from Oz.
Oh my, think I'd rather the chill factor here in Ireland, I'm not good with the heat at all and that would toast me lol yes this Place was brilliant❤❤
Thanks for that,I love going with you,I'm in north California,it's so different there just love this place.more please 🤠
Thank you for your vlog of the castle and grave yard weather nice or not still wonderful
Weather was awful all week to be honest, not too windy but foggy and damp here ❤
What beautiful memorials, and the setting, birds singing in the air.💗
Thank you ❤️
Lovely sue thanks a lot god bless
Very nice graveyard and castle. And that big tree by the water so pretty. And I said WOW right before you did. Great video and keep them coming but leave the wind at home huh? Just a little humor Happy Holidays!
Hi Sally, I loved that little area and that tree, WOW...yes I'd gladly leave that wind anywhere but when I video ❤😁
Another aincient one, another windy day. Beautiful castle, and grounds.
Hopefully I've a new Mic, so please God we will have better audio❤❤
I have been digging into my grandmother's genealogy and working on our family tree, and have managed to date parts of the family really far back. According to Ancestry DNA, I am a 20th great grand daughter of Sir Gerald. I am learning all kinds of new things about my heritage, and seeing this makes me so happy ! I most definitely want to make a trip over there and see the castle and maybe meet distant family ~
Brilliant Kuku that's amazing 👏
I absolutely love these videos..I always want to go to Ireland ..still do ..such a beautiful place...your living in what I dreamed of doing..God bless you
It is beautiful 😍 thank you ❤️
Another unbelievable cemetery. Thank you!
Thank you, Appreciate it ❤❤
Boa noite querida top demais diferente este cemitério
Moitas grazas ❤
There was some lovely headstones in there Sue…It does sadly look as though the place has been vandalised at some stage.There are so many headstones down and at funny angles on the ground.Such a shame as it goes back to the 1700+..It was a really great find though . I should imagine it’s very over grown in the summer though. I hope you and your family have a Happy Christmas..Love n Light 🥰
Thanks Christine, many happy returns ❤❤
That was just beautiful, enjoy it so very much Sue xxx
Thanks Lorraine ❤❤
Another great video. What a beautiful place, thank you for taking us along.🌺💐⚘
Thanks Shela ❤❤❤
It's like a little time capsule,which looks like what the whole area at 1 time would have looked like. I love it 💓
Amazing the old mixed with the new, golf course and hotel ❤❤
I missed live but watching, absolutely amazing and the mermaid wow. I bet a sailor/fisherman maybe ?
Wasn't she fantastic, imagine that a mermaid, unreal ❤❤
Truly beautiful old place. Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for watching ❤❤
Thank you for the tour it was amazing to see the castle in the history I love seeing stuff like this
Glad you enjoyed it
Hello i love how respectful u are.loyal new friend here
Thanks very much, I'm delighted to have you onboard ❤❤
wow fascinating place thankyou for sharing 🙏
Thank you ❤
I really like you take the time to read the old stones. The history they reveal.
Thanks so much Regina
Can you imagine a wedding their when roses are bloom ? Omg I wanna stay there, I’ll even sleep in the garden 😍
Oh yes, gosh that would be stunning ❤❤ I googled the inside, it's gorgeous
Unbelievable some of these graves are older than European settlement in Australia 1788 again another excellent video Sue 💚
I've found a 1622 is well 😁 amazing 👏
Jessie's epitaph was so touching. What a beautiful place to rest in peace ❤️❤️❤️
It really was so nice❤❤
Love the video!
Appreciate that Regina
What a lovely video that was. These golfers playing rounds around the graves. - I wonder if they know these stones are here? What is the oldest stone you have come across? Thanks for this, looked a real dreich day, home you got home before the rain came in.
We got caught several times that days it was terrible but when you drive for over an hour the show must go on 😆 I have found 1622 in carlow its here on a video from carlow, it's the one I said it looked like a vampire film set and I found 1632 in youghal Co. Cork, think that was st marys, yes got home OK, Ireland gets dark at 4.30 here now and I don't like driving once dark ❤❤
Wow what can one say most magnificent castle and loved it all tombstone’s great job thank you.🇺🇸👮🏻♂️
Thank you Mike, I wouldn't mind staying in there for the night, it looked beautiful, loved the little graveyard, hope to find a photo of how the church would have looked like ❤
I'm in tears. 😢
The graves of their beloved pets was so sad
what a wonderful place sue xxx
Thanks Tom, hope all good with you ❤
That was beautiful. Both you and Ron get a workout don't you? ❤
Haha, that's for sure ❤❤
Bold, brave and impervious to the weather 🤣Cee1💚💚💚☘☘☘
🤣🤣🤣
Hi everyone
Love to stop there for a few nights
Omg just love 1700s graves
Me too ❤❤
I don't get why so many views but the likes are lacking - Crikey viewers it is not hard to hit the like button 👍
Ahh thanks very much Kim, that means a lot 🥰🥰💗
Pardon my ignorance but did Ireland fight alongside the British during the American revolution? If so could some of these young men who died from 1775 to 1783 be from that war? I cannot imagine how parents coped back then with the death of so many children at such early ages. Thank you again for braving the elements to bring us such great content.
Gosh i dont know to be honest but i found this ...The Volunteers of Ireland, also known as the 2nd American Regiment and the 105th Regiment of Foot, was a British Provincial military unit, raised for Loyalist service, during the American Revolutionary War, I have read so many young men's names lost to war some just 16 yrs old the heavy break of that, I have also wondered how many of our 16yr old would fight today❤
@@SerenitySueGraveyards Ireland was England's oldest colony, & there are/were numerous Irish regiments in the British Army, so quite likely that lots of young Irishmen were sent to fight in the American Revolution. I believe Gen. Cornwallis' x-o at the British surrender at Yorktown was named O'Hara.
Ironically, numerous signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish birth or ancestry, & the percentage of American patriot soldiers of Irish origin far exceeded the percentage of Irish-American colonists. Virtually all the American troops at the British defeat at King's Mountain were of Irish stock. I wonder how many, if any, British troops from Ireland deserted & joined the American cause? Perhaps at least more than a few. Brits had a problem with Hessian mercenaries changing sides, as well.
What does the I H S mean on headstones?
Jesus, Saviour of man
AMAZING 👌 COLD AND WINDY THAT DAY , CHEERS SUE N IRISH EYES 😉😁
Thanks T❤
My grandfather was Irish
Ahh really, what was the surname ❤
Willie, Bridie and the twins would have been my aunts and uncles 😞
❤️ ahhh 💔
sue are live chat soon hope everything going well
I do live chat Friday on a premiere and Sunday is our live chats too ❤
I think that it their pets graves
Yes for sure, I wonder was it a dogs collar on the headstone? Kinda looked like one ❤
Shame it's all in peices
Strange kind of a lay out🤔❤