The History of Clonmel Castle

The amazing Clonmel Castle "story" includes, intriguing inheritance rules; pirates, bank moguls, mysterious treasure troves, the story of the "The Burning of Dover" and the subsequent burning of the White House! 

However, all acolades go to Harry Barrett! 

William Henry (Harry) Barrett, a veterinarian from Port Dover, was surprised to find his name in a Toronto Star classified advertisement in 1926.  Solicitors from Great Britain had been searching for him regarding an estate in Ireland he was entitled to inherit!  

With part of the proceeds from the sale of his assets in Ireland, Harry hired local artisans and tradesmen during the depression, to build Clonmel Castle on a hill overlooking the original location of Dover Mills. Clonmel took over 4 years,$100,000, and $12,000 for 40 acres to be built during the great depression.   Harry was much loved and helped many local families during this time, including the shipbuilders that hand carved the 11 different kinds of wood used in Clonmel, including a "Galley" in the Dining-room.   Clonmel Castle opened with great fanfare in 1929 with over 1400 people attending a party!  Yet it took another year for 6 men to hand lay the wall surrounding the castle, using slate from nearby quarries.  

Clonmel Castle is a  copy of the original Mansion in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. Built in the "Natco" construction style, made famous by architect and designer, Frank Lloyd Wright, Clonmel is a fortified building made of solid stone, is fireproof, sound proofed, each room being it's own vault, and all surrounded by a famous stone wall.  Therefore, Clonmel is in the true sense of the word, a "Castle". 

For the next eighty years, Clonmel fell into disrepair. "She" was in desperate need of restoration, when in 2015, Lynneee, the new Chatelaine, heard her call.   It has taken over 7 long years of restoration, to revive Clonmel to her former glory and beyond.  Our guests now delight in all the modern conveniences including, kitchenettes, spa bathrooms, hot tub, temperature monitored rooms for heat and air conditioning and much more... The best of the past for the future. 

Virtually every inch has been revitalized!

Clonmel will continue to pass the test of time. Much like the old Hydrangea tree which boasts an ancestry of almost 100 years,  Clonmel's beauty and resilience continues to welcome guests from far and wide.   

Welcome everyone!  Give us a chance to treat you royally! 

Lynneee

Chatelaine of Clonmel Castle.