Springfield Castle

Springfield Castle is the ancestral home of Lord and Lady Muskerry. It is situated in the heart of County Limerick on a magical 200-acre estate approached along a magnificent three-quarter mile-long avenue, lined with ancient lime trees. Springfield is ideally located to explore many of Ireland's fantastic gems, including the Wild Atlantic Way.

Springfield Castle can accommodate up to 25 guests across two areas, the castle itself (sleeping 15) and the newly renovated East Tower (sleeping 10). The property is ideal for large family reunions and gatherings, celebrations and special events as well as unique boutique weddings.

The Castle

Springfield Castle sleeps up to fifteen guests in eight bedrooms with six bathrooms. The castle itself has a truly unique style, one that cannot be imitated, but is only found where real history meets the comfort of a family home. All the rooms are furnished with family antiques and exquisite, comfortable beds. With its rich red walls and fine silver candelabra lighting up the large mahogany dining table, the elegant dining room is a pleasure to dine in come supper time.

Springfield has a uniquely restored Irish tower house where experiences are offered at an extra cost; these range from traditional Irish music and dancing to Irish storytelling, a period costume talk with banquet, whiskey-tasting sessions and movie nights.

The East Tower

The east-tower wing of the castle is a fully self-contained family home. The bedrooms and bathrooms are each individual and are furnished with an eclectic collection of antique and modern furniture, collected by the family from all over the world.

The tower boasts five bedrooms, four bathrooms and can accommodate up to ten guests. There are four double rooms and one twin single-bedded room. As you approach the castle up the 3/4 mile long avenue, swing to the right and enter through a regal archway to a private courtyard with a wonderful fountain in the centre, encircled by the stone walls and buildings, some dating back to the Norman times in Ireland. Climb the magnificent stone steps leading to the front door and make yourself at home.

Dining

At Springfield, the food philosophy is simple: use only fresh, local seasonal produce. In the walled-kitchen gardens, as much produce is grown as possible and the farm is a working deer farm, meaning fresh organic venison is available on request. Bespoke menus can be organised and quoted for upon request, with as many or as few meals as desired for the duration of your stay.

Weddings

Springfield Castle is a unique venue, exclusively yours to enjoy. There is no formula at Springfield... the castle's experienced team can tailor-make your wedding to suit all needs, meaning each wedding is individual. You, your family and friends will have fond memories to treasure forever.

The castle and tower sleep a maximum of 25 guests in luxurious accommodation, plus up to 35 guests can be catered for a wedding dinner in the east-tower dining room. For larger weddings, up to 70 guests can dine in the event space, 'The Green Room'.

Attractions

There is a wealth to see and do in the region, plus it is always possible for activities to be organised on the grounds for you; Irish musicians, storytellers, falconry, boules, badminton, tennis, archery, table tennis, snooker/pool and a soccer pitch. The family dogs will also be sure to visit you every day. If you decide to venture out, Limerick County is dotted with beautiful towns and villages and gives the visitor the perfect mix of city and country life.

The attractions in Limerick County cover everything from historic interest, the River Shannon, the Atlantic Ocean and world-renowned golf courses. The castle is also ideally located as a base to tour all the best attractions such as Killarney, The Ring of Kerry, The Wild Atlantic Way, Dingle, Blarney, Cork When you arrive at Springfield Castle, Jonathan and Betty will welcome you, give you a brief explanatory tour and will be on hand to discuss touring ideas, plus make recommendations to local pubs and restaurants.

The Grounds

The estate has many ancient trees up to 400-years-old. There are fields of quietly grazing deer and acres of woodland walks, tempting you to explore. Springfield is a prime example of an Irish castle with gardens. The organic farm, woods and gardens at Springfield are all yours to roam and, in the season, you can enjoy a visit to the Victorian walled garden with flowers, herbs, salads and vegetables produced for the Green Room Café, weddings and meals in Springfield.

Wildlife abounds at Springfield and the dawn chorus in spring and summer may be the loudest thing to disturb you. Walking through the woodlands and avenues you may be lucky enough to see some of the wildlife that lives on the estate. There are rabbits, foxes, badgers, squirrels, buzzards and even barn owls! If the weather is fine, why not take a picnic or barbeque to a woodland clearing or to the thatched gazebo in the woods and enjoy one of the timeless pleasures of country life? There are also large lawns beside the castle for picnicking and play. Goalposts can be supplied for soccer matches!

History

The earliest castle at Gort na Tiobrad, the Irish name for Springfield Castle, is reputed to date from 1280, when one of the Fitzgeralds, a junior member of the Desmond family, married a lady of the O Coilleains, who were the Lords of Claonghlais. He took the title Lord of Claonghlais and subsequently built a castle at Springfield. Little is known of this castle, but it is supposed that some of the ruins on the north of the present courtyards may be the remnants. This was the beginning of a long association of the Fitzgeralds with the area.

Read More

In their day, the Fitzgeralds were patrons to Irish poets and musicians. As you enter the impressive gateway to Springfield Castle, a plaque on the wall commemorates Daithi O’Bruadair, a classical Irish poet of the seventeenth century, who lived at the castle with his patrons, the Fitzgerald family, recording their lives (and general events). He described Springfield Castle as “a mansion abounding in poetry, prizes and people”.

The Fitzgeralds soon became, as the saying goes “more Irish than the Irish themselves” and had an oft-times difficult relationship with the British monarchy. In 1691 they had their lands confiscated for the third and last time and Sir John Fitzgerald went to France with Sir Patrick Sarsfield to continue fighting the English there, never to return to Ireland.

Prices