Gosford Castle

Gosford Castle is situated in Gosford, a townland of Markethill, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, close to the border with County Down. Construction of the castle began in 1819 and finished in the 1850s. It was commissioned by Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford and the architect was Thomas Hopper, one of the leading London architects of the first half of the 19th century. The Ministry of Agriculture bought the estate in 1958, establishing Gosford Forest Park and in January 2006 the largest Grade A listed building in Northern Ireland, which is in urgent need of conservation, was bought by a development company which planned to turn it into private homes. In January 2008 the first residents of the 23 apartments moved in.

The estimated £4m repair bill was footed by Gosford Castle Developments, chosen by a government-appointed panel.

Architecture

The style of Gosford is that of Norman revival, it being one of the few examples of this in the world. It was regarded by Robin Fredden, Secretary of the National Trust in 1952 as "one of the most original buildings of the first half of the nineteenth century", he further noted that it was "reputed to be the largest pile in Ireland", having some 150 rooms. [ [http://www.gosford.co.uk/castle.html Views of Gosford Castle ] ] Hopper, the architect, also designed Penrhyn Castle, which is in a similar style.

History

The 4th Earl was forced to sell the Castle's contents in 1921 and, during the Second World War, it was commandeered and used as prisoner-of-war camp. Following the War the Gosfords sold the estate and, eventually, it was acquired by the Forestry Commission. It was, for periods, occupied as a hotel, barracks and restaurant.

Jamboree

The park was the site of an Irish Scout Jamboree in 1989. "Gosford '89" was attended by over 3000 scouts from around the world including contingents from Canada, Japan and America. The Camp Chief was Wilson Lambe [citeweb|url=http://www.irishscoutbadges.com/gallery/FISA/00133.gif.html |title=Badges From osford '89|publisher=IrishScoutBadges.com|accessdate=2008-05-31] and the Co-ordinator was Mark Larmour.

There were six subcamps as well as a Staff subcamp.

References

* [http://www.gosford.co.uk/castle.html Gosford Castle website]
* [http://radiocarbon.pa.qub.ac.uk/local/armagh/Gosford/ Markethill and Gosford Castle]
* [http://www.nics.gov.uk/press/ard/060109e-ard.htm Minister announces sale of Gosford Castle]
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4596736.stm
* http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3346072.ece

See also

*Castles in Northern Ireland
*List of villages in Northern Ireland
*List of towns in Northern Ireland

External links

* [http://www.gosford.co.uk/ Gosford.co.uk]
* [http://www.chrono.qub.ac.uk/local/armagh/Gosford/ Gosford Castle]