Family in California buys historic Portlick Castle

One of the most historic buildings in the Athlone area, Portlick Castle, could be opened up for public visits in the coming years after it was sold to an Irish-American family based in California.

The Castle on the shore of Lough Ree, which dates back to the 12th century, had been owned for more than 30 years by the Australian businessman, art collector, and poet Luke Whitington.

It was unsuccessfully placed on the market on more than one occasion over recent decades, but its sale has now been confirmed after it was advertised again, in 2019, with a €1.4 million price tag.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent, Stan Bradbury of Custume Property, the selling agent for the Castle, said the new owners were an American family with roots in county Clare.

"They hope to make the grounds open to the public and, in time, to operate a boutique guesthouse and restaurant from the Castle," he said, adding that it might become part of the Millennium Forest walking route in Portlick.

Mr Bradbury became the selling agent for the property after he was put in contact with Mr Whitington by the local artist, Paul Proud.

The sale incorporated the ten-bedroom Castle, four-bedroom coach house, stables, and 29 acres of walled gardens and lands.

"The Castle was marketed locally and internationally, and we had a number of enquiries from across the world and viewings from Switzerland, UK, China, Australia, Germany and America, where the eventual buyer was from," he explained.

"The Castle gained a lot of interest from Irish Americans but travel restrictions in early 2020 limited our viewings, and the property went sale agreed in the summer of 2020."

The Castle had been in poor condition when it was purchased by Mr Whitington in the late 1980s, and he carried out a total renovation over a six-year period, starting in 1992.

In recent years the prospect of it reopening as a gourmet hotel and conference centre was mooted, but this ultimately didn't come to pass.

As a history lover, Mr Bradbury was fascinated by the Castle. "Every time you go in there, you see something new," he said.

"Lessons from my school days came to mind in the 12th century building, walking up the original staircase looking out all the slit windows with features such as the spiral staircase in a clockwise rotation, a defensive twist so attackers could not swing a sword as they attacked.

"The Georgian wing is finished to an excellent standard, and has the 'wow' factor as you pass from room to room, from the entrance hall to the drawing room and dining room on the ground floor, with the grand staircase leading to the main bedrooms, all ensuite, on the first floor, and a further two bedrooms on the third floor.

"A corridor links back to the 12th century section to the minstrels' gallery, where a floor-to-ceiling open fireplace is the main feature of the room.

"Off this room there is access to the second and third floor bedrooms and the fourth story roof. Below the minstrels’ gallery is the 12th century dungeon, with vaulted ceilings.

"Other recent additions are the breakfast room and a music hall on the North West of the building. A roof terrace is accessed from the minstrels' gallery, with views of Lough Ree."

He added that the property is surrounded by forestry and has a 350-metre entrance avenue through a wooded, tree-lined driveway.

"It was a pleasure to sell it, and the views there are spectacular," he said.