House & Family History: Barmeath is an old castle of the Pale that dates from the 15th century. In the mid-18th century the Castle was enlarged and remodeled, leaving it a three-story seven-bay double gabled-ended House with fine Georgian interiors. In 1839 Sir Patrick Bellew, 7th Bt., later 1st Lord Bellew, enlarged and castellated the House, possibly to the designs of John Keane or Sir Thomas Smith. Sir Patrick's work included the addition of a turreted wing and an entrance tower with a portcullis, all of which left Barmeath with the look of a mock Norman castle. The sumptuous Georgian interiors include the exceptionally fine staircase, featuring joinery with Corinthian balusters; the Drawing Room, with a Gothic fretted ceiling; and a very handsome Library (the bookcases have Ionic pilasters, broken pediments, and curved astragals) with a ceiling of Rococo plasterwork with Masonic iconography.
Garden & Outbuildings: Barmeath is set in 300 acres of parkland with 10 acres of historic gardens laid out in the 18th century to the designs of Thomas Wright. Wright's work includes the lake, the Rock Bridge, the island, the Hermitage, and the Shell House.
Architect: Thomas Smith
Date: 1839Architect: John B. Keane
Date: 1839
Title: Guide to Irish Country Houses, A
Author: Bence-Jones, Mark
Year Published: 1988
Reference: pg. 32
Publisher: London: Constable and Company
ISBN: 0094699909
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Unknown
Park Listed: Unknown
Current Seat / Home of: Bellew family; here for 400 years.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The Castle is available as a wedding venue.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 353-416-861-050
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.barmeathcastle.com
Historic Houses Member: No