DiCamillo Companion
Ireland

Killua Castle

  • Earlier Houses: There was an earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house. The estate was originally owned by the Knights Hospitaller.

    Built / Designed For: Sir Benjamin Chapman, 1st Bt.

    House & Family History: Sir Thomas Robert Tighe Chapman (1846-1919), the 7th and last Chapman baronet, was the father of T.E. (Thomas Edward) Lawrence, more famously known as Lawrence of Arabia. T.E. was one of nine illegitimate children born between Sir Thomas and Sarah Lawrence, the family's nanny. Though he never divorced his wife, Sir Thomas left her and spent the remainder of his life with Sarah, much if it under the name Thomas Robert Lawrence. In 1949 the castle and 1,200 acres were sold; the castle was left ruinous for most of the 20th century. Killua Castle was re-roofed and restored in 2006.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The estate is home to the Raleigh Obelisk, a folly built in 1810 for Sir Thomas Chapman, 1st Bt., to mark the spot where Sir Walter Raleigh supposedly planted some of the first potato plants in Ireland. At its height in the 18th century the Killua Estate spanned 9,000 acres.

  • Architect: James Shiel

    Date: Circa 1830
    Designed: Remodeled House
    (Attribution of this work is uncertain)
    View all houses
  • John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. I, p. 180, 1854.

  • House Listed: Unknown

    Park Listed: Unknown

  • Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Captain Benjamin Chapman, 17th century; William Chapman, until 1734; Benjamin Chapman, until 1779. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Benjamin Chapman, 1st Bt., 1780-1810; Sir Thomas Chapman, 2nd Bt., 1810-37; Sir Montagu Lowther Chapman, 3rd Bt., 1837-53; Sir Benjamin James Chapman, 4th Bt., 1853-88; Sir Montagu Richard Chapman, 5th Bt., 1888-1907. Fetherstonhaugh family, 20th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Charity / Nonprofit

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction

    Ownership Details: Owned by the Montpascal Foundation

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 353-879-436-727

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://killuacastle.com/

    Historic Houses Member: No

VISIT AND HELP PRESERVE HISTORIC BRITISH HOUSES

Help preserve Britain’s privately owned country houses by joining Historic Houses. Use code DICAM7 for a £7 discount off a new membership that will give you access to hundreds of historic houses.

Join Now

The DiCamillo Companion does not receive any compensation from the Historic Houses Association.