Nestled at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains in County Offaly, Ireland, stands the breathtaking Kinnitty Castle, also known historically as Castle Bernard. Today, this 19th-century Gothic Revival castle is a luxury hotel and wedding venue, but its story stretches back over 800 years – complete with Norman invasions, aristocratic families, devastating fires, and even a resident ghost.
The Origins of Kinnitty Castle
The first castle on this site was built in the early 13th century. In 1209, it was destroyed, only to be rebuilt by the Normans in 1213. Around the same time, the Augustinian Friary of St. Finnian’s was established nearby. To this day, visitors can still see the High Cross and fragments of the old Abbey wall.
Eventually, the Normans were replaced by the O’Carrolls of Ely, who held the land until 1630, when William O’Carroll constructed a new castle near the Abbey. Just over a decade later, during the Plantation of Offaly (then King’s County), the castle was confiscated and granted to Colonel Thomas Winter in 1664 for his military service.
His descendants later sold the estate to Thomas Bernard, who renamed it Castle Bernard.
A Gothic Revival Transformation
In 1811, Lady Catherine Hutchinson, wife of Thomas Bernard Jr., commissioned renowned architect James Pain to remodel the castle into the stunning Tudor Gothic Revival mansion we see today.
The castle passed down through the Bernard family, with Colonel Thomas Bernard serving as both Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff of King’s County in the 1830s. However, when he died without an heir in 1882, the castle and estate passed to Captain Caulfield French through marriage.
Fire, Restoration, and New Beginnings
Like many Irish estates, Castle Bernard did not escape the turbulence of the 20th century. In 1922, during the Irish Civil War, the castle was torched by the IRA. Fortunately, it was restored in 1928 with a government grant of £32,000, and the Bernard family continued to live there until 1946.
After changing hands a number of times, the Irish State purchased the castle in 1951, transforming it into a Forestry College from 1955 to 1985.
From Historic Estate to Luxury Hotel
In 1994, the Ryan family from Limerick redeveloped Kinnitty Castle into a 37-bedroom, four-star hotel and wedding venue. Although it went into receivership in 2008, the castle continued to operate under bank management until it was sold in 2015 to its current owners – a group of Irish and American investors who have since renovated it to a high luxury standard. Today, it is one of Ireland’s most romantic castle hotels, attracting guests from all over the world.
The Ghost of Kinnitty Castle
Of course, no Irish castle is complete without a ghost story. Kinnitty Castle is said to be haunted by “The Monk”, a spirit often seen wandering the halls by both staff and guests. Many mistake him for a real person – until he vanishes before their eyes.
In fact, a paranormal group even captured what they believe to be his image on camera in 2023. You can view the eerie photograph here: Eerie Figure at Kinnitty Castle.
Visit Kinnitty Castle Today
Whether you are drawn by its rich history, its luxurious accommodations, or the thrill of possibly encountering Ireland’s famous ghostly monk, Kinnitty Castle Hotel offers a truly unforgettable experience.
📍 Location: Between the villages of Kinnitty and Cadamstown, at the northern edge of the Slieve Bloom Mountains, County Offaly, Ireland.
From medieval roots to aristocratic grandeur, from fire and war to modern rebirth, Kinnitty Castle remains one of Ireland’s most fascinating castles to visit or stay in.