Carey’s Castle: a hidden gem at the foot of the Comeraghs

carey castle

Just about a mile off the Clonmel to Dungarvan road, at the border between Tipperary and Waterford counties, stands the most loved and visited castle in the area.

The castle is located in the beautiful mixed woodlands close to the Glenary River, a tributary of the River Suir. Centuries ago the place was known as Glenabbey. It was a small monastic site that belonged to the Cistercian monastery in Innislounaght, Clonmel, but was abandoned in the 16th century as a result of the Dissolution of the Monasteries initiated by Henry VIII. The ruins of the old buildings and walls can still be seen.

After the monks moved out, the site was granted to Edward Gough, an alderman of Clonmel. There is no record that something remarkable had been happening in the site during the next 200 years, but in the beginning of the 19th century the Carey’s castle was built. At that time, the site was the property of the Carey family, the wealthy schoolmasters who loved history. It is believed that they were the ones who built the castle, because it is a mixture of architectural styles and eras. You see an ancient Irish Round Tower, medieval Norman hall, Romanesque arches and Gothic windows. There was also a walled garden facing the river.

The Careys sold the site in the 1840s when they emigrated to Australia. The next owner was Colonel Nuttall Greene, who soon became bankrupt, and his property was sold off in the Estates Court. The site was abandoned and became derelict.

Carey castle

Carey castle

Carey castle

Carey castle

Carey castle

I always thought this building was an ice house, but now I know it is a chapel :). I love to receive feedback and learn new things.

Carey Castle

This is the other side of the chapel and the path that approaches the site from the east.

Carey castle

This is the path you would walk on from the parking lot after you take a right turn down the hill. The main path continues straight through the woods. It is also beautiful and worth to explore.

Carey castle

This is what you see when you walk down that path. In summer, the view is obscured by the tree branches.

Carey castle

Here the path makes a loop and returns to the woods. A different view from this point. On the right, you see the walled garden.

Carey castle

All the parts of the path are mystically beautiful. You see many ancient ruins who knows how old.

Carey castle

Glenary River is a treasure itself. Quite deep in some places, she even hosts fish. Local teenagers come for a swim in the icy-cold pool, just five minutes walk to the east from the castle.

I walk along the Glenary River out of the woods to the main road. It is quite dark here, and suddenly there is an opening between the trees, and the sheep appear like pale ghosts out of nowhere, startling me.

I hurry up, and in a couple of minutes the sun is shining again, and there are no ghosts anymore. Thistles and Foxgloves are stretching tall to get out of the thick wall of nettles guarding an old farmstead.

digitalis

I take some pictures of the gate and old roof, and walk to the parking lot.

Carey Castle is a unique place, open to everyone. How sad it is that people leave all their litter there after having picnics and walking their dogs. Once a year, a local Slovakian/Polish family hosts a Gulash Party in the castle grounds. A huge saucepan of stew is cooked, and families with children stay in the site all the day, and some even over night, sleeping in the tents. Everyone can come if they are well-behaved 🙂  Before the party begins, the hosts are combing the area and picking up all the rubbish left there during the rest of the year. After the party, the place is tidied up again.

There is another Carey’s Castle in the world, a cave-like dwelling in the end of a magnificent trail at the South-West corner of Joshua Tree National Park, USA. Both sites are not officially recognized as tourist destinations, and remain ‘hidden gems’.

Thank you for visiting my favorite place!

Just to let you know.  We have a wee addition to our family 🙂

 

inese_mj_photography Have a wonderful weekend!

161 comments

  4. Dear Inese… First let me get this out of my system. The new baby is so squee!!! I’m afraid my head might explode. 😀 Could easily be a faery come out to play with the baubles you left to entreat her.
    The photos are simply magical. What a beautiful place. And such wonderful souls who clean up the grounds each year (though a shame that they have to). Thank you for this truly lovely excursion. It was a delight. Mega hugs.

    1. Thank you so much, Teagan! She is my youngest granddaughter, sweet little thing. So delicate, like a faery.
      Carey castle is very special. The area around the castle is a gem itself, with all the ancient walls covered with moss, and the gurgling river. Never boring.
      Many hugs! xxxx

    1. Thank you so much! Had to go to the hospital again Thursday. This can last another couple of months, but I hope she gets better before I leave for home.

  7. The castle has a very long history and changing hands. The place looks like a place to visit in summer time with green path and shades around it. No wonder the local has a yearly party there. The picture of the steam is so beautiful. It is refreshing to look. I imaging that the water is probably cold. A very nice post..

    Congratulations with the new family member!

  8. Your posts are always special and beautiful but this one is spellbinding with that last picture of the wee beauty with the rosebud mouth. Congratulations to your family and most especially to you Grandmother.

  9. Thank you for that exquisite photo of your new —very photogenic—little blessing.

    The old castle is wonderful, spooky, mystical. So was your walk, too, in and out of the forest, complete with nettles and surprising sheep! I love that it seems there will always be loving people like those of the goulash party to cherish the beauty, past and present, that can be found in this world….

    1. Thank you so much, Cynthia! This place is loved and visited. Thankfully, the castle is situated away from the tourist routes, and never advertised. Just a local pet castle 🙂
      This little blessing is my youngest granddaughter. Another few weeks and I will have to go back home, which breaks my heart.

  10. Pingback: Carey’s Castle: a hidden gem at the foot of the Comeraghs — Making memories | Magikal Journeys Art Studio

    1. Thank you so much, Mike! It is why I am so behind with my visits and commenting. All my latest posts were written ages ago – I wouldn’t have time for writing now. We have another couple of toddlers in the house 🙂

  17. Oh, so much to comment on. First of all, what a beautiful castle, path, sheep, thistle! (Only you can make my prickly nemesis look magical). Such a shame that these old places were left to ruin. They’re such gems, and it’s not like anyone builds them anymore. And second, congrats on the addition to the family – how perfect and adorable. ❤

    1. Thank you so much, Diana! This sweet addition keeps us busy 🙂
      Many old houses and castles were demolished on purpose after there was no one to take care of them. This beautiful house had no chance 😦

  20. What a wonderful place, one I would love to visit one day…but possibly too much walking for me… By the way, your family’s latest looks gorgeous, Inese!

    1. Thank you so much! 🙂
      Yes, it is a 10 minutes walk through the woods. I have never seen any tourists there – the road is challenging, and the maps quite confusing 🙂

      1. Oh, a 10 minute walk would be OK….now I just need to get over to Ireland, meet you, and get to see the place!!!! 😉

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