Clonmel castle: a Century of Beauty and Resilience

For almost a century, Clonmel Castle has stood as a beacon of beauty and resilience, welcoming guests from far and wide to its historic embrace. Its story is an enthralling tapestry woven with intriguing inheritance rules, encounters with pirates, bank moguls, mysterious treasure troves, and a connection to the dramatic events of "The Burning of Dover" and the subsequent burning of the White House.

However, at the heart of Clonmel's remarkable narrative is a name that deserves all accolades—Harry Barrett. William Henry (Harry) Barrett, a veterinarian hailing from Port Dover, stumbled upon an unexpected surprise in a Toronto Star classified advertisement in 1926. Solicitors from Great Britain had been searching for him, revealing an inheritance in Ireland that was rightfully his.

With the proceeds from the sale of his assets in Ireland, Harry Barrett embarked on an extraordinary mission during the Great Depression. He enlisted the skills of local artisans and tradesmen to construct Clonmel Castle on a hill overlooking the original location of Dover Mills. The endeavor spanned over four years, cost $100,000, and required an investment of $12,000 for 40 acres during a period of economic hardship. Harry's benevolence extended beyond the construction; he provided support to local families, including the shipbuilders who hand-carved the 11 different types of wood used in Clonmel, even adding a "Galley" in the Dining-room. The grand opening of Clonmel Castle in 1929 was a celebration attended by over 1400 people, though it took an additional year for six men to meticulously hand-lay the castle's stone wall, using slate from nearby quarries.

Clonmel Castle, a faithful copy of the original Mansion in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland, boasts the "Natco" construction style, made famous by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. It stands as a fortified building made of solid stone, fireproof, soundproofed, with each room akin to its own vault, all encased within a famous stone wall. Clonmel is, in the truest sense, a "Castle."

Over the next eighty years, Clonmel Castle endured a period of neglect and disrepair. In 2015, Lynneee, the new Chatelaine, heard Clonmel's call and embarked on a eight-year journey of meticulous restoration to revive Clonmel to its former glory and beyond. Today, our guests delight in the best of the past and future, with modern conveniences including kitchenettes, spa bathrooms, hot tubs, temperature-monitored rooms for comfort, and much more. Virtually every inch of Clonmel Castle has been revitalized, ensuring its enduring legacy.

As Clonmel Castle stands tall and proud, much like the old Hydrangea tree that boasts an ancestral presence, we extend a warm and regal welcome to all. Give us a chance to treat you royally, as we invite you to be a part of Clonmel's storied history.

Welcome to Clonmel Castle—Where History and Hospitality Converge.

Lynneee

Chatelaine of Clonmel Castle.