Dromore Castle, Pallaskenry, Co Limerick
Dromore is a relatively “young” ruin having been only build just over 130 years ago. It was designed by Edward William Godwin in the Gothic revival style.
Its claim to fame is that it featured in the ghostly farce 1988 film “High Spirits” starring Peter O’Toole, Daryl Hannah and Liam Neeson. Peter O'Toole stars as a financially troubled Irish nobleman who lives with his mother in a castle that is about to be repossessed. Desperate to raise money, he turns his castle into a haunted castle theme park.
The following is the first verse from a poem actually written by the better known “Dromore Castle” in County Kerry. But it suits the Pallaskenry Dromore just as well so I am including it here:
October winds lament around the castle of Dromore
Yet peace is in her lofty halls, my loving treasure store
Though autumn leaves may droop and die, a bud of spring are you…
Its claim to fame is that it featured in the ghostly farce 1988 film “High Spirits” starring Peter O’Toole, Daryl Hannah and Liam Neeson. Peter O'Toole stars as a financially troubled Irish nobleman who lives with his mother in a castle that is about to be repossessed. Desperate to raise money, he turns his castle into a haunted castle theme park.
The following is the first verse from a poem actually written by the better known “Dromore Castle” in County Kerry. But it suits the Pallaskenry Dromore just as well so I am including it here:
October winds lament around the castle of Dromore
Yet peace is in her lofty halls, my loving treasure store
Though autumn leaves may droop and die, a bud of spring are you…
Dromore was a fun ruin to hunt because we could not see it from the road, although some rather imposing gateways leading into a large wood made us sure that these led to the castle. We parked in one of the least significant of these and took a track through the trees. Suddenly the track emerged onto a tarmac drive which we followed, suddenly emerging right in front of the ruin. It was obvious that this building was undergoing renovation and a modern house was built very close, but hidden from view. Unfortunately, because of the forest coming close to the building, we could not get far away enough for very good photos.
Feeling nervous of discovery, I crept around the back wall of the ruin, hoping to find a doorway that would lead into it. Suddenly a loud rattle sounded right behind me! I spun round, heart pounding. Was it someone, or thing, creeping up behind me? No…my TicTacs had been shaken in my bag.
Feeling nervous of discovery, I crept around the back wall of the ruin, hoping to find a doorway that would lead into it. Suddenly a loud rattle sounded right behind me! I spun round, heart pounding. Was it someone, or thing, creeping up behind me? No…my TicTacs had been shaken in my bag.
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