Killua Castle

Killua Castle, [ [http://www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WM&regno=15306023 Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath: Buildings of Ireland: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage ] ] and the nearby Raleigh Obelisk, are situated near Clonmellon town, in north County Westmeath. The castle and the obelisk are separated by some 200 m to 300m, and belonged to the Chapman family more than two centuries ago, beginning with Captain Benjamin Chapman, patriarch of the Chapman Baronets of Killua Castle. From here, the Chapmans administered the surrounding farm lands of some convert|9000|acre|km2 during the penal law period on behalf of the English crown.

It is currently in the possession of the Krause family, who acquired it in 2000. It is currently being restored.

Raleigh Obelisk

The obelisk marks the position where Sir Walter Raleigh planted some of the first potatoes that he imported to Ireland. [ [http://buildingsofireland.com/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=WM&regno=15306024&print=true Raleigh Obelisk, Killua Castle, Clonmellon, County Westmeath: Buildings of Ireland: National Inventory of Architectural Heritage ] ] Antoine Parmentier who promoted the cultivation of potatoes for human consumption and the Spanish conquistadores who first imported them from South America along the south and west Irish coast are also associated with Irish potato promotion.Fact|date=December 2007 However, it is uncertain who is initially responsible of the first potato plantation in Ireland, even though Raleigh is frequently credited with this milestone in Irish history. The obelisk erected by Sir Thomas Chapman in 1810, marks the Raleigh contribution to Ireland in providing stable nourishment to the farming/working class land tenants.

Sir Thomas Chapman, Baronet, in the year 1810 is believed to have sited the Obelisk upon the ground where Sir Walter Raleigh first planted the potato tubers in Ireland.Fact|date=December 2007

The inscription on the obelisk currently reads "Sir Walter G. Raleigh," but there is no other evidence that Raliegh had a middle name, and the "G" appears to be vandalism added after the original inscription.

Other Westmeath Castles

* Ballinlough Castle
* Delvin Castle
* Knockdrin Castle
* Tullynally Castle
* Tyrrellspass Castle

See also

* Sir Thomas Chapman, 7th Baronet

External links

* [http://www.clonmellon.com clonmellon.com]
* [http://examiner.handywebhosting.net/story.asp?stID=582&cid=181&cid2= Locals sign petition for Clonmellon name change]
* [http://www.mindspring.com/~xeowulf/Killua.html Killua Castle before renovation]

References