HISTORY
The original Fitzgerald castle was probably a tower-house or fortified house and was described as a square building with battlements erected in the 16th century, with a pointed doorway and a window flanked by a stone head. The branch of the Fitzgerald family that owned Waterford Castle were the descendants of Patrick Fitzgerald, son of the de jure 6th Earl of Kildare.
Current house, architecture
The current castle is a Gothic-style house built in 1895 for Gerald Purcell-Fitzgerald (1865-1946) which incorporates the fabric of an earlier (pre-1845) house, and parts of the medieval (pre-1645) tower-house. The designs were prepared by Romayne Walker and supervised by Albert Murrary (1849 – 1924). The construction is in unrefined rubble stone with fine cut-stone quoins and window frames and topped with Irish-style battlements.
CURRENT SITUATION
Steeped in Irish history, the site of Waterford Castle settled from ancient times, was ancestral home of the Fitzgerald Family for 800 years this enchanting Island surrounded by the River Suir, was fashioned by nature, sheltered and secure.
With the change of ownership in March 2015 the Castle has undergone an extensive refurbishment. The owner & his team are breathing new life into the resort, from creating Island walkways to restoring the 16th century Castle hotel, Waterford. They're also busy redecorating the 45 self catering lodges & the King's Channel Club house. While maintaining the Castle’s integrity from repointing the exterior stonework to refurbishments of the interior rooms, and adding new elements of luxuries.
The refurbishment encompasses the restoration of the priceless antiques to their previous glory, reupholstering the items of historic value and procuring new period décor, with each addition decided by the Castle as it dictates what it will allow into it’s great halls & rooms. Ongoing refurbishment & restoration are planned for the Island Resort with the restoration of the extensive farm buildings & a new spa opening in the near future.
