Location: Paulstown, County Kilkenny Map
Shankill Castle, located in Paulstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, is a historic and picturesque estate that blends medieval origins, Georgian elegance, and Victorian charm. Situated on the border of Counties Kilkenny and Carlow, just off the M9 motorway, this castellated Queen Anne house is a vibrant family home, organic farm, and cultural hub. Home to the Cope family since 1991, Shankill Castle has been transformed into a living testament to Ireland’s architectural evolution, artistic heritage, and commitment to sustainability. With its 300-year-old interiors, enchanting gardens, and a rich history tied to the Butler and Aylward families, the castle offers a unique experience for visitors.
Shankill Castle’s origins trace back to the medieval period, with its
name derived from the Irish Seanchill (“Old Church”), referencing a
nearby pre-Norman church, now in ruins, that stood on the estate. The
castle began as a Butler tower house in the 15th century, constructed by
the aristocratic Butler family, Anglo-Norman lords who held significant
influence in Kilkenny. This initial structure, likely a defensive tower,
was typical of the period, designed to assert control over the
surrounding lands.
In 1708, Peter Aylward, who married into the
Butler family, purchased the estate from his wife’s relatives. He
rebuilt the tower house into a Queen Anne-style residence, marking the
transition from a fortified structure to a comfortable country house.
Aylward’s vision included formal landscaping, with a vista to the front
and a canal to the rear, reflecting early 18th-century tastes. The
Aylward family, also of Anglo-Norman descent, remained prominent in the
region, with Shankill serving as their seat for nearly three centuries.
The 19th century brought significant transformations. Nicholas
Aylward (1787–1831), who inherited the estate in 1808, commissioned
architect William Robertson to remodel the house in the 1820s, adding
battlements and Gothic elements to create a castellated appearance.
Further renovations under James Kearney-Aylward (1811–1884), guided by
architect William Deane Butler, introduced a conservatory (later
removed) and enhanced Gothic detailing. The estate remained with the
Toler-Aylward family, a branch of the Butlers, until 1991, when it was
sold to Elizabeth and Geoffrey Cope.
The Cope family—consisting
of artists Elizabeth, Phoebe, and Sybil Cope, historian Geoffrey, and
archaeologist Reuben—has since dedicated itself to preserving and
revitalizing Shankill. Their efforts have opened the castle to the
public, blending its historical legacy with contemporary art, organic
farming, and cultural events.
Shankill Castle is an architectural palimpsest, reflecting its
evolution from a medieval tower house to a Queen Anne residence and
finally a Gothic Revival castellated house. Its design incorporates
elements from multiple periods, creating a harmonious blend of
styles that distinguishes it as a picturesque landmark in Ireland’s
Ancient East.
Exterior
The castle’s current form, largely
shaped in the 1820s, is a large-scale, castellated Queen Anne house
with Gothic and Romantic influences. Key exterior features include:
Castellated Facade: Battlements and turrets, added by William
Robertson, give the house a medieval castle-like silhouette,
aligning with the Gothic Revival trend of the early 19th century.
Gothic Porch: A 19th-century addition bearing the Aylward family
crest, this porch enhances the castle’s dramatic entrance.
Stable-Yard and Entrance: Attributed to architect Daniel Robertson
(known for Powerscourt and Lissadell), the castellated entrance and
stable-yard feature limestone ashlar and cut-granite accents,
showcasing expert masonry. The gateway, with its elliptical-headed
carriageway and wrought-iron gates, is a fine example of
late-Georgian Gothic.
Polyhedral Sundial: A rare and unusual
feature, this 19th-century sundial, placed on a sunken lawn, is one
of Ireland’s only examples of its kind, adding a quirky Victorian
touch.
Conservatory (Removed): A conservatory, possibly designed
by Richard Turner or Joseph Paxton, was added in the 1850s but
dismantled after 1902.
The castle’s limestone construction, with
its somber monochromatic palette, is softened by the surrounding
parkland and gardens, creating a romantic and inviting aesthetic.
Interior
The interior of Shankill Castle preserves much of
its 18th- and 19th-century character, offering a glimpse into the
lives of the Irish gentry. Notable features include:
Georgian
Staircase: A late-Georgian staircase, elegant and understated,
serves as the spine of the house, connecting its principal rooms.
Gothic Plasterwork in the Dining Room: The dining room features
intricate Gothic-style plasterwork from the 18th century, with
ornate motifs and patterns that add drama and sophistication. This
is a highlight of the castle’s interior, showcasing the skill of
period artisans.
Victorian Drawing Room: Redesigned in the 19th
century, the drawing room is adorned with plush furnishings, rich
fabrics, and elegant woodwork, embodying Victorian refinement. It
overlooks the pond and polyhedral sundial, blending indoor luxury
with outdoor beauty.
Old Kitchen: The original coal oven remains,
a relic of the castle’s domestic past, offering insight into
19th-century household operations.
Eclectic Decor: The Cope
family has filled the castle with an eclectic mix of antiques,
artifacts, and contemporary art, particularly Elizabeth Cope’s
vibrant paintings, which infuse the historic spaces with modern
energy.
The castle’s interiors are both a historical archive and
a living canvas, reflecting the Cope family’s artistic and scholarly
passions.
Shankill Castle’s gardens and parkland, spanning several acres, are a
highlight of the estate, blending 18th-century formality with Victorian
whimsy and modern sustainability. Laid out in the 18th century and
enhanced over time, the gardens are deeply rooted in history but vibrant
with contemporary life.
Key Garden Features
Walled Kitchen
Garden: A Victorian-era walled garden features espaliered heritage apple
and pear trees, an apple arch underplanted with red tulips, and a
variety of organic produce used in the Coach House Café. The garden is a
working space, emphasizing sustainability and biodiversity.
Moated
Garden: Once a rose garden, later planted with Sitka spruces, this area
has been reborn as a spring garden, blooming with seasonal flowers. Its
moat adds a romantic, medieval touch.
Victorian Laurel Lawns and Lime
Alleys: Remnants of 18th-century lime alleys and 19th-century laurel
lawns provide structure and historical depth, evoking the estate’s
Georgian and Victorian past.
Fairy Woods: A whimsical area designed
for families, with winding paths and hidden surprises, making it a
favorite for children.
Notable Trees: The gardens include three trees
listed in the Tree Register of Ireland: a giant sequoia and two
large-fruited cypresses, alongside self-sown ash trees and Victorian-era
conifers from Alaska. These “gentle giants” add grandeur to the
landscape.
Graveyard: Adjacent to the castle, the graveyard near the
old church ruins blooms year-round, adding a poignant historical layer.
Pond and Ha-Has: A large pond at the rear, complete with lilies, and two
ha-has (sunken ditches) create a seamless transition between the formal
gardens and the wider parkland.
Sculptures and Features: The gardens
are dotted with sculptures, including a notable statue at the back of
the house, and a canal from the 18th century, now with serpentine bays
added in the 19th century.
The parkland, with its sweeping topiary
lawns and exotic trees, was formalized in the 18th century and enriched
with Victorian plantings. The Cope family’s organic farming practices
ensure that the gardens and surrounding fields are sustainable, with
cattle grazing contentedly nearby.
Shankill Castle is a cultural gem, bridging Ireland’s medieval,
Georgian, and Victorian heritage with contemporary artistic expression.
Its history reflects the social and architectural evolution of the Irish
gentry, from the Anglo-Norman Butlers to the Aylward family’s
refinements. The castle’s survival through centuries of change,
including the turbulent 17th and 18th centuries, underscores its
resilience.
Since 1991, the Cope family has transformed Shankill
into a creative hub. Elizabeth Cope, a renowned Irish artist, uses the
castle and farmyard as studios, and her vibrant paintings adorn the
walls, blending historical elegance with modern vitality. The castle
hosts a residency program through ResArtis, welcoming artists from
around the world to create and exhibit in its inspiring spaces.
Exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events draw local, national, and
international visitors, making Shankill a dynamic center for the arts.
The castle is also steeped in local folklore, with legends of ghosts
haunting the 11th-century graveyard and tales of a fictional “Murder at
the Last Supper.” These stories, though likely apocryphal, add a layer
of mystique.
Shankill Castle is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 11:00
AM to 5:00 PM, typically from April to October, with extended hours for
special events. Located 20 minutes from Kilkenny City and Carlow Town,
and 90 minutes from Dublin, it’s an accessible gem in Ireland’s Ancient
East. Visitors can expect to spend 2–3 hours exploring the castle,
gardens, and café.
Guided Tours
Castle Tours: Offered at 3:00
PM on open days, guided tours are often led by a Cope family member,
such as Elizabeth or Reuben, providing personal insights into the
castle’s history and their restoration efforts. The tour covers the
Georgian staircase, Gothic dining room, Victorian drawing room, old
kitchen, and eclectic collections of antiques and art. Tickets cost €12
for adults, €6 for children (4+), and €9 for concessions (includes
garden access). Group tours are available by advance booking.
Studio
Visits: By appointment, visitors can tour Elizabeth Cope’s studio to see
her work in progress, a highlight for art enthusiasts.
Visitor
Feedback: Reviews praise the passionate guides, the castle’s lived-in
charm, and the blend of history and art. Some note the single daily tour
requires planning.
Gardens and Café
Garden Access: Self-guided
garden tours cost €6 for adults, €3 for children, or €15 for a family
(2+2). Visitors enjoy the apple tree tunnel, fairy woods, and seasonal
blooms, though some find the gardens smaller than expected and note
maintenance challenges, such as an empty second walled garden used for
grazing.
Coach House Café: Located in the heritage stable-yard, the
café serves seasonal, organic dishes made with produce from the walled
garden and farm. Highlights include homemade cakes, salads with edible
flowers, and coffee. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and the
café is praised for its “limited but gorgeous” menu and warm staff.
Organic Farm: The farm supplies the café and underscores the estate’s
commitment to sustainability, with visitors occasionally seeing
livestock or new calves.
Events
Shankill Castle hosts
family-friendly events, including:
Halloween Pumpkin Hunt: A popular
October event with activities for children.
Snowdrop Month: In
February, the gardens showcase early spring blooms.
Art Exhibitions
and Workshops: Regular showcases of Elizabeth Cope’s work and visiting
artists, often in the castle or farmyard.
Private Events: The castle
is a venue for weddings, corporate functions, and parties, with its
historic rooms and gardens providing a unique backdrop.
Getting
There
Location: Shankill, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny, R95 T95K.
By
Car: 10 km from Paulstown, 20 km from Kilkenny City, and 100 km from
Dublin via the M9. Free parking is available.
By Public Transport:
The nearest train station is Kilkenny (20 minutes away), with bus
connections to Paulstown (Bus Éireann route 4 or JJ Kavanagh services).
Taxis or a 3-km walk from Paulstown are required.
Accessibility: The
gardens and café are partially wheelchair-accessible, but the castle
tour involves stairs, limiting access for those with mobility issues.
Nearby Attractions
Kilkenny City (20 km): Home to Kilkenny
Castle, the Medieval Mile Museum, and Smithwick’s Experience.
Carlow
Town (20 km): Features Carlow Castle ruins and the Visual arts center.
Dunmore Cave (15 km): A limestone cave with Viking history.
Royal Oak
Distillery (25 km): Offers whiskey tours.
Shankill Castle is a rare example of a historic Irish house that remains a family home while embracing public access and cultural innovation. The Cope family’s restoration has preserved its architectural treasures—Georgian staircase, Gothic plasterwork, Victorian drawing room—while infusing it with artistic vitality. The organic farm and café reflect a commitment to sustainability, aligning with modern values of environmental stewardship. As a residency hub for artists, Shankill fosters creativity, drawing global talent to rural Kilkenny. Its inclusion in Ireland’s Ancient East highlights its role in showcasing the region’s heritage, from Norman tower houses to Victorian gardens.