- Foulksrath Castle
Foulksrath Castle ( _ga. Caislean Ratha) is a 15th century Anglo-Norman tower house located in Jenkinstown inCounty Kilkenny , Ireland. It currently functions as ahostel in theAn Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) network, which is affiliated withHostelling International . It was built by the Purcell clan, who also constructed several others nearby. After over three centuries as owners, the family was reduced to living as peasants in the castle stables after it was confiscated byOliver Cromwell and given to his officers after theCromwellian conquest of Ireland .The castle was slated for demolition in 1946 but was saved by community support. It was renovated and opened as a hostel in 1948, making it the oldest hostel in Ireland.
Status
Foulksrath Castle is well preserved and restored, with most of the outer wall and some ancillary structures also surviving in addition to the main tower. A
pitched roof has been added over the centre of the tower, though the open-air walk along the tower's crenellatedbattlement has been preserved and is still accessible. Inside, three single sexdormitory rooms and two family rooms house up to 52 visitors. A kitchen and bath facilities, as well as a medieval-decorated dining hall have also been added. A narrow spiral staircase connects the four stories.Stories have circulated that Foulksrath Castle is haunted by the daughter of the original owner, who was supposedly killed in the tower. A
BBC television crew of Britishghost hunters visited in 1992. Other ghosts include a woman who was killed by her lover and haunts the castle by creating the scent of lilacs. The owner/keeper of the castle has claimed to see ghosts as well.See also
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An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association)External links
* [http://www.anoige.ie/accommodation_kilkenny_foulksrath.html An Óige listing for Foulksrath Castle]
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