AN ICONIC PIECE OF SLIGO HISTORY BEING RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY
WITH MARKREE SET FOR A MARCH REOPENING, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE RESTORATION
AS the historic Markree Castle prepares for its spring time re- opening, renovation work is almost 50% complete.
Since being sold to the Corscadden family in 2015, the Victorian Gothic Revival castle has undergone a huge amount of restoration work, restoring some details that have not been seen for some years.
Charles Cooper, previous owner of the stunning castle, has been working closely with the new owners in order to keep the authenticity and tradition of the castle intact.
Remaining sympathetic to the castle’s history and original appearance has been key to this restoration project.
And that is why it is fascinating that, almost coincidentally, the current colour scheme for the castle almost mimics that of the original, which can only be scene when the walls are stripped back.
While the appearance of the castle will largely remain similar to that of before the work started, there will be a number of interesting changes.
The main dining area has been extended from three rooms to four, with what was previously the kitchen being transformed into an extra room.
The design is the exact same as the three rooms, with artists’ attention to detail ensuring that all patterns and designs are the exact same.
The dancing, and evening part of a wedding will now take place in the basement which has been completely renovated.
With work set to be complete in February, most of the actual restoration work is almost complete.
Philip Lee, General Manager of Markree Castle, explained: “Work’s progressing very well. We will have the ground floor, dining hall and the social evening/ dancing/ downstairs finished, except for carpets in the next two weeks. The main staircase, entrance will be finished as well and a number of bedrooms. Final finishing date would be in February before valentines and the first wedding is in March.
“When I came in here some time ago it was in the embryonic stage in that it was bare walls, everything needed to be re- wired, plumbed. To see it today, it’s as much as finished bar carpets. Just some fine details and painting left. Downstairs would have been just literally a building site. Bare walls, and as you see it today with panelling going in. It’s probably 50% there. It’s a work of passion for the builders, the building contractor has done one or two other castles for the company and their attention to detail is just phenomenal.
“The major change would be that they have extended the main dining area by an extra room, which used to be the kitchen. That’s been relocated. The fourth room has been restored to reflect the original three.
“The downstairs night time dancing room has been completely recreated and I’m not even sure if there was access to that in the pass. I’m sure a lot of people have never seen it. All of the bedrooms are being reinstated. I think in the past they may have operated maybe 30- 40% of them, whereas now there’s going to be 31 bedrooms now within the castle.”
Painters across the castle are putting the finishing touches to some incredibly intricate artwork as The Sligo Champion visits.
Using paintbrushes the size of make- up brushes, painters have spent some weeks, even months, working on what appears to be a small task.
But it is this incredible attention to detail that will set Markree Castle apart.
“I would say they have done a mile or two of really fine plasterwork, where they’re taking out a very fine paintbrush and literally doing the minute detail on it. They must have covered miles. Just looking up at the guy on the ladder now recreating the corner, using gold leaf with a gilt,” said Arlene Gibbs of Silverstamp Marketing.
“To be able to strip back a castle, maintain the integrity and a sympathetic nature to the conservation, bringing everything back to its glory, but to add a bit of luxury is quite phenomenal to me,” she added.
And indeed, builders and artists are bringing everything back to its glory, including rooms that were once upon a time derelict and never used.
One such item that has been restored is a fireplace in the grand hall.
Again, the attention to detail for this is just one example of the incredible research and planning that has gone into this entire project.
A small section of this fireplace was found in one of the sheds, almost ready to be thrown out. and builders realised that it was in place in the grand hall around 70- 80 years ago.
A lot of it was rotten, but it was rebuilt completely using plaster moulds to replicate the original, using the help of pho- tos from the National Archives.
“To see it in a pile of rubble that I thought was ready to go into a skip and to see the guys completely restore it, is just incredible,” said Mr. Lee.
Bedrooms too have been transformed. While the billiard room, which was previously unusable, has now been done up and is fully accessible.
“The billiard room was not accessible at all. They’ve managed to rebuild and reclaim that. It’s fully wood panelled. There’s a vaulted skyline and huge vaulted windows overlooking the fabulous gardens. Everything in that had to be re- done. It was re- done in such a way that there was moulds taken of what was existing, used to recreate what was gone. It looks perfect. The heat has been turned out to dry out some of the work but you’re in an old castle and there’s windows open and you’re having to take your coat off,” said Arlene.
Some of the work may not seem initially obvious, but one of the biggest tasks was the restoration and improvement of the main staircase.
“The main staircase and landing had to be taking out and reinstated. The stain glass window in the main hall was completely removed and restored, you can see how much detail has gone into that,” added Mr. Lee.
The basement will now play host to the evening part of a wedding.
A new bar has been added, with a cocktail bar in the process of being built.
One of the more unique additions to the basement is, what Arlene describes a ‘ country kitchen’.
A kitchen, for the use of wedding attendees, will sit next to the bar and dancing area, and will be fully stocked with tea, coffee and food, so that people can help themselves and get away from it all for a few moments if they so wish.
This feature is already in place in some of the Coscadden family’s other castles across the country.
Markree will serve as a unique venue for weddings in the region, and there are great plans in store for any nuptials at the castle.
“The grounds will be very important. Anyone getting married here will want photos in the grounds. Each time I’ve walked around the grounds I’ve seen something new. The wishing well to the river where you can get a boat up, make a wish at the wishing well, walk through the rose gardens and meet your guests on the steps. It’s stunning.
“I think that we will have some quite, high end, weddings. It will be attractive to people who want a lot of privacy. It’s contained, it’s secure, it’s beautifully rural.
“People will feel at home – at home in Downton Abbey really, added Ms Gibbs.
The heavy work, Philip says, is almost complete, and the next phase of work is well underway.
“The heavy lifting is done. They’re now into the second phase fit out, which would be sockets. It’s in its final phase of completion.”
‘ Hard hat’ tours will be available by appointment only from the 10th December for anyone who has booked a wedding in the venue.
Call 071 9167800 or email weddings@ markreecastle. ie to book your tour.