STEEPED in 700 years of history, the majestic Glin Castle, together with its 20 bedrooms, 380 acres and unrivalled views over the Shannon Estuary, is up for sale with a price tag of €6.5 million.
Described as a “romantic castellated mansion enjoying a glorious setting”, Glin Castle has been in the Fitzgerald family since the 13th Century and has seen many of its 29 occupants document life from its beautifully appointed grounds.
The last Knight of Glin, Desmond Fitzgerald, died in September 2011 and despite the fact that he has three daughters, the historic title died with him as he had no male children to succeed him.
The Knight of Glin was a hereditary title in the FitzGerald family who were granted extensive lands in County Limerick by the Duke of Normandy by way of conquest. They are descended from Maurice FitzGerald, a companion-in-arms of Strongbow Richard de Clare, the Norman conqueror of Ireland.
One of the last knight’s daughters, Catherine Fitzgerald, is married to Hollywood actor Dominic West who starred in the popular television series ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Affair’.
The Fitzgerald family are to retain a portion of the land and redevelop the St Paul’s Heritage Centre at the gates of the castle.
Appeals for institutions such as the University of Limerick to step in and assist in the running of the castle and gardens proved fruitless and the decision was made to sell the loss-making property.
The castle has a superb interior with decorative plasterwork and notable collections of Irish furniture and paintings.
The adjoining land includes 23 acres of mature landscaped grounds made up of both formal and informal gardens, that link to the wider parkland estate and woodland walks.
A dairy farm is centrally positioned within the remainder of the estate and operates as a commercial enterprise. Three sets of lodges, modelled on the family crest of twin turrets, ‘defend’ the demesne entrances.
In 1999, Hugh Montgomery Massingberd in Great Houses of Ireland, wrote; “Glin is surely the beau ideal of an Irish country house, grand yet intimate.”
Visitors have included rock star Mick Jagger and his former girlfriend Marianne Faithfull as well as actress and style icon Talitha Getty.
