An 1825 engraving of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
An 1825 engraving of the East Facade of the House from "Neale's Views of Seats"
Claridge's hotel, London, from an 1898 watercolor
A 1970s Claridge's hotel label, probably intended for mailing, or possibly for use on luggage. The famous hotel was founded by William Claridge, who was once an undercook at Mitchelstown.
Earlier Houses: There were two earlier houses on the site of the 19th century house. The second of these was a Palladian style house of 1776 that was erected by the 2nd Earl of Kingston, whose daughter, Margaret, was taught revolutionary ideas here by her governess, Mary Wollstonecraft. In 1823 the 3rd Earl, known as Big George, demolished his father's Palladian house and built the massive 19th century house that is the subject of this record.
Built / Designed For: 3rd Earl of Kingston
House & Family History: Mitchelstown was built for the 3rd Earl of Kingston, who specified that it should be the largest house in Ireland. Though the final result was not, in fact, the largest house in country, the pale gray limestone castle was the largest Gothic Revival style house in Ireland. Mitchelstown, which cost £100,000 to build (approximately £93 million in 2019 inflation-adjusted values using the labour value commodity index), boasted a 100-foot-long Gallery, three libraries, 80 bedrooms, and a Dining Room that could seat 100 guests. One of the people who cooked for this Dining Room was William Claridge, an undercook who later founded the famous London hotel Claridge's. The Castle was burned during the Troubles; it was later demolished, its stone used by the monks of Mount Melleray as building material for their new church.
Architect: James Pain
Date: 1823-25Architect: George Richard Pain
Date: 1823-25John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, 1825.
Country Life: CXXXIII, 840, 1963.
Title: Guide to Irish Country Houses, A
Author: Bence-Jones, Mark
Year Published: 1988
Reference: pgs. 207-208
Publisher: London: Constable and Company
ISBN: 0094699909
Book Type: Hardback
Title: Irish Houses & Castles
Author: Guinness, Desmond and Ryan, William
Year Published: 1971
Reference: pg. 15
Publisher: New York: Crescent Books
ISBN: NA
Book Type: Hardback
House Listed: Demolished
Park Listed: Destroyed
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: John King, 1st Baron Kingston, 17th century; James King, 4th Baron Kingston, 18th century; Robert King, 2nd Earl of Kingston, until 1799. SEATED AT 19TH CENTURY HOUSE: George King, 3rd Earl of Kingston, 1825-39; Robert Henry King, 4th Earl of Kingston, 1839-67; James King, 5th Earl of Kingston, 1867-69; Robert Edward King, 7th Earl of Kingston, 1869-71. W.D. Webber, late 19th century.
Current Ownership Type: Demolished
Primary Current Ownership Use: Demolished
House Open to Public: No
Historic Houses Member: No