Proposal to turn historic locations into tourist hub
A PROPOSAL has been submitted for inclusion in the forthcoming Cork County Development Plan to establish a tourist hub in Charleville by developing the Moatville House, outbuildings and 12.5 acres at Limerick Road, Charleville, in conjunction with Kerry Group plc, and to establish a museum for the town in the upper storey of the former Market House (Courthouse) in the town’s Main Street.
The proposal was submitted to Cork County Council for consideration by Cllr Ian Doyle for the premises to be handed over to Charleville Heritage Society for development.
Moatville House is of considerable historic importance, as the 18th Century house was erected circa 1730, and built on the footprint of the original Charleville Manor built by Roger Boyle in 1661.
Roger Boyle or Lord Broghill who had been elevated to the position of Lord President of Munster by King Charles II ruled Munster from Charleville Manor for the next 11 years until the King abolished the Presidency in 1672. Broghill then moved to live in his house in Castlemartyr, where he died in 1679.
The Manor House was burned to the ground in 1690 after the Battle of the Boyne by the Duke of Berwick during the Williamite War.
The listed house stands on 12.5 acres of what were walled decorative flower gardens, a garden that was used for table produce, an orchard and outbuildings, all of which are also listed.
The property is presently owned by Kerry Group plc who acquired the premises when they took over the Golden Vale Dairy Company in 2002.
The Market House was built in 1769 by the then Charleville Corporation to assist in the sale of farm produce and meat products which were produced in what was the Shambles area that was located at the back of the Market House off of Broad Street.
The court services occupied the top of the building from the 1930’s to the late 1980’s when they vacated the space which had fallen into disrepair.
The ground floor housed the town’s commercial club that was mainly used by business people, and part of which is now occupied by the Charleville Men’s Shed and also a billiards and snooker club.