Location: Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny Map
Constructed: 15th century
Foulksrath Castle, known in Irish as Caisleán Ratha ("Castle of the Fort"), is a 14th-century Anglo-Norman tower house located in Jenkinstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) north of the medieval city of Kilkenny. Constructed initially in 1349 by the De Frene family and rebuilt in the early 15th century by the Purcell family, this well-preserved castle is a fine example of Ireland’s medieval architecture, characterized by its defensive design and historical significance. Once a youth hostel operated by An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) until 2009, it is now privately owned and undergoing restoration, with limited public access. Foulksrath is also renowned for its reputed hauntings, adding a layer of mystique to its storied past.
Foulksrath Castle’s history begins with the Anglo-Norman
invasion of Ireland in 1169, which brought families like the De
Frenes to Kilkenny. The castle’s name likely derives from Fulco
(or Fulk) De Frene (d. 1349), a warrior who served King Edward
III and fought at the Battle of Crécy (1346) and the Siege of
Calais (1346–47). The De Frenes were rewarded with lands in
Jenkinstown, where they built a fortified, moated dwelling in
1349. The castle’s strategic location, surrounded by woodlands
and near the River Nore, made it a key stronghold in the region.
In the early 15th century, the estate passed to the Purcell
family, relatives of the De Frenes through marriage, who
constructed the current tower house. The Purcells, a prominent
Anglo-Norman family, also owned nearby castles like Clofouke and
Cloranke. The castle’s history reflects Ireland’s turbulent
past, including the English Civil War, Cromwellian
confiscations, and the 19th-century shift to romanticized uses,
culminating in its unique role as Ireland’s oldest youth hostel.
De Frene Origins (1349): The De Frene family, led by Fulco De
Frene, built the original fortified structure in 1349, likely a
motte-and-bailey or stone keep surrounded by a moat. Fulco’s
military service to Edward III, including his role in major
Hundred Years’ War battles, underscores the family’s loyalty to
the English Crown. The castle’s early design included a
defensive moat, traces of which remain, suggesting it was built
to withstand local Gaelic resistance.
Purcell Reconstruction
(Early 15th Century): By the early 1400s, the Purcell family,
related to the De Frenes, inherited the estate and rebuilt the
castle as a four-story tower house, the structure visible today.
The Purcells were staunch Royalists, and their ownership
solidified Foulksrath’s role as a regional power center. The
castle’s robust design, with thick walls and a bawn (outer
defensive wall), reflected the need for defense against rival
clans and political instability.
Cromwellian Confiscation
(1640s): During the English Civil War (1642–1651), the Purcells
supported the Royalist cause, leading to the castle’s
confiscation by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. The estate was divided
among three Cromwellian officers, with Colonel Bradshaw
receiving the castle. Despite this, Bradshaw permitted the
Purcells to remain on the land, possibly as tenants, a rare
concession that preserved their presence.
Swift Family and
the Aerial Chariot (18th–19th Centuries): By the 18th century,
the castle was leased to Thomas Wright, whose family lived there
for over a century and engaged in missionary work in Asia. In
the 19th century, the Swift family, distant relatives of author
Jonathan Swift, became associated with Foulksrath. A 1948
article claims they purchased it in 1898, but a 1979 source
suggests earlier ownership. In 1857, Godwin Meade Pratt Swift
patented Ireland’s first aircraft, an “aerial chariot,” and
launched it from the castle’s roof using a catapult, with his
butler as the pilot. The plane crashed immediately, leaving the
butler with multiple broken bones but marking a quirky footnote
in aviation history.
An Óige Youth Hostel (1946–2009): By
1946, Foulksrath had fallen into neglect. An Óige purchased it
from the Swift family with community support, converting it into
Ireland’s oldest youth hostel, which opened in 1948. Managed by
artist Ernest J. (Jack) Macken, the hostel featured a gallery of
his oil paintings and local art. It accommodated up to 52
guests, offering a unique stay in a medieval setting with a
grand dining room and spiral staircase. The hostel closed in
2009 after Macken’s departure, and a reported fire in January
2010 further limited access, though the castle’s core structure
remained intact.
Private Ownership and Restoration
(2009–Present): Since 2009, Foulksrath Castle has been privately
owned and is undergoing major restoration. The owners have
restricted public access, focusing on preserving the castle’s
medieval features. A 2014 Tripadvisor review describes a private
tour by a friendly owner, suggesting occasional openness, but
the castle is not currently a public venue or B&B.
Foulksrath Castle is a classic Anglo-Norman tower house, a
fortified residence designed for defense and status. Built primarily
in the early 15th century by the Purcells, it stands four stories
tall, constructed of local limestone with walls up to 6 feet thick.
Its rectangular form, crenelated battlements, and surrounding bawn
wall are typical of the period, similar to Clonony or Castle Donovan
but better preserved.
Exterior: The castle is a single,
imposing tower, approximately 50 feet high, set within a partially
intact bawn wall that once enclosed a courtyard. The bawn includes
remnants of ancillary structures, such as stables, and a cruciform
stirrup-shaped gun-loop, noted by castle scholar Paul Kerrigan in
1992, indicating later defensive adaptations. A moat, dating to the
1349 structure, surrounds the site, though it is now largely filled
in. The castle’s crenelated parapet, accessible via a spiral
staircase, offers views of the Kilkenny countryside, with a modern
pitched roof added over the tower’s center to protect the interior.
Interior: The four stories are connected by a narrow spiral stone
staircase, a hallmark of tower houses, leading to a crenelated
rooftop walkway. The ground floor includes storage and a kitchen,
while upper floors feature living quarters, including a magnificent
dining room with large fireplaces, described as “movie-like” by
visitors. The barrel-vaulted ceilings and narrow windows, some with
ogee or flat-headed designs, enhance the medieval ambiance. During
its hostel phase, dormitories were added, with the men’s dorm at the
tower’s top. Restoration has focused on preserving these features,
though modern amenities like plumbing were introduced for hostel
use.
Condition: The castle is well-preserved, thanks to An Óige’s
1948 renovations and ongoing restoration since 2009. The bawn wall
and moat remnants survive, and the tower’s structural integrity is
sound, though the 2010 fire damaged some areas. The castle is not
open to the public, but its exterior and grounds remain visually
striking, set against Jenkinstown’s tranquil woodlands.
Foulksrath Castle embodies the Anglo-Norman legacy in Ireland,
reflecting the transition from Gaelic to English dominance in Kilkenny.
Its association with the De Frene and Purcell families highlights the
interplay of military prowess and familial alliances, while its
Cromwellian confiscation underscores the political upheavals of the 17th
century. The Swift family’s “aerial chariot” experiment adds a quirky,
proto-technological dimension, and its role as a youth hostel made it a
unique cultural hub for 60 years.
Historical Legacy: The castle’s
connection to Fulco De Frene ties it to the Hundred Years’ War, while
the Purcells’ Royalist stance reflects Ireland’s role in the English
Civil War. The Wright family’s missionary work in Asia and the Swift
family’s aviation attempt illustrate the castle’s diverse occupants,
from religious zealots to eccentric inventors.
Cultural Role: As a
youth hostel, Foulksrath offered travelers an immersive experience, with
its medieval dining room and spiral staircase evoking Ireland’s past.
Its closure in 2009 disappointed visitors, as noted in Tripadvisor and
blog posts, but its restoration promises to preserve its heritage. The
castle’s proximity to Kilkenny City, a medieval hub with attractions
like Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice’s Cathedral, enhances its appeal as
part of a historical itinerary.
Tourism Context: Foulksrath is less
accessible than Clontarf Castle or Castle Oliver, which function as
hotels, but its historical significance rivals that of Clonony or
Carrigaholt. Nearby attractions include Kilkenny Handwrought Silver (4.2
km), the Hall of the Vicars Choral (5.5 km), and Ballylarkin Abbey (6.1
km). The castle’s setting in Jenkinstown, a quiet village, offers a
serene contrast to Kilkenny’s bustle.
Foulksrath Castle is one of Ireland’s most famously haunted sites,
with three distinct ghostly legends contributing to its eerie
reputation. In 1992, a BBC television crew of ghost hunters visited,
reporting that their equipment recorded “the best ghostly sounds of any
place they visited in Ireland,” amplifying its mystique.
The Lady
in the Tower: The most prominent ghost is a young woman, believed to be
the daughter of a former owner (possibly a Purcell or Swift), who was
locked in the tower by her father for choosing an unsuitable lover.
Depending on the version, she either starved to death or was killed by
her father. Her apparition is seen staring longingly from the tower’s
high windows, a forlorn figure symbolizing lost love.
The Sleeping
Guard: A second ghost, a guard who fell asleep on duty, appears annually
on November 29. Punished by being thrown from the ramparts to his death,
likely by Colonel Bradshaw during the Cromwellian era, his footsteps are
heard wandering the castle, as if atoning for his negligence. This tale
reflects the harsh discipline of the period.
The Lady of Lilacs: A
third apparition is a female ghost who wanders the castle and gardens,
accompanied by the scent of wildflowers or lilacs, suggesting a
contented spirit. Some accounts link her to the Boleyn family, as a
Butler (related to Anne Boleyn’s mother) leased the castle in 1910,
though this connection is speculative. Her presence, often seen with the
guard’s ghost, is described as peaceful, easing the castle’s darker
hauntings.
These legends, while possibly exaggerated, have made
Foulksrath a draw for paranormal enthusiasts, rivaling Carrigaholt
Castle’s sinister reputation but with a more melancholic tone.
Foulksrath Castle is privately owned and closed to the public as it
undergoes restoration, a process ongoing since 2009. The castle’s
exterior and grounds remain accessible for viewing from a distance, but
internal tours are rare and depend on the owner’s discretion. Its
listing on Tripadvisor (4.5/5 from 9 reviews) reflects past hostel
experiences, with visitors praising its “breathtaking” medieval ambiance
and the owner’s friendliness during a 2014 private tour.
Access:
Located at coordinates 52.749686° N, 7.316139° W in Jenkinstown, County
Kilkenny, the castle is reached via the M7 and N77 from Dublin (120 km,
1.5 hours) or the R693 from Kilkenny City (12 km, 15 minutes). No public
transport directly serves Jenkinstown, so a car is recommended. Parking
is limited near the castle, and visitors should respect private property
signs.
Visitor Experience: The castle’s exterior, with its towering
limestone facade and bawn wall, is photogenic, especially in spring when
surrounded by greenery. The moat’s remnants and nearby woodlands add to
the serene setting. Internal access, if granted, reveals the grand
dining room, fireplaces, and spiral staircase, though safety concerns
may limit exploration. Nearby Kilkenny offers dining, lodging, and
attractions like the Medieval Mile Museum.
Safety and
Recommendations: As a private site under restoration, visitors should
avoid trespassing and contact the owners via local tourism boards (e.g.,
visitkilkenny.ie) for tour inquiries. Wear sturdy shoes for uneven
grounds, and check weather forecasts, as the area can be muddy. Respect
the castle’s historical and private status, avoiding littering or
unauthorized entry.