FAILTE

Situated about 12 miles from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Delvin is one of those small Irish towns through which people pass without giving it the attention it deserves.  Some lovely old buildings and a number of excellent eateries make it worth a quick stop.  Why not come early and have a quick explore?  Sustain yourself with a quick bite either before or after the Fair.  For more information about Delvin visit the community website.  delvin village

This is  the birthplace of Brinsley Macnamarra and the presumed setting for The Valley of the Squinting Windows.  It is a also the home of a thriving community that welcomes everyone who takes the time to visit.

 

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

At one end of the street stands St. John’s Castle, reputedly built by the Norman knight, Hugh de Lacy who came to Ireland with Henry II in 1171.  It was inherited by de Lacy’s son-in-law, Gilbert de Nugent whose descendents became Earls of Westmeath and had a presence in the area until 1922.  Originally the castle was a massive keep with four circular corner turrets.  Sadly the north wall has long since gone. The castle is now a national monument and the property of the Office of Public Works.

st johns

Nearby is St Mary’s, a former Church of Ireland church.  It was rebuilt circa 1810 but retained many medieval features including a fortified belfry, a Board of First Fruits type hall and a transept added in 1860. The transept was designed by Joseph Welland, an important ecclesiastical architect responsible for all Church of Ireland building projects from 1843 to 1875. There are pointed arched windows and doorways and  timber and stone tracery  still in survive.  The church is set back from the road and has an adjoining graveyard.

clonyn

Clonyn Castle was one of the last Victorian castles or country houses to be build in Ireland.  It was built on the remains of an Anglo-Norman castle built, once again by Hugh de Lacy.  The castle has a square core with circular towers at each corner.  Clonyn Castle was built to designs by the John McCurdy (1823-85), who was also responsible for  the Shelbourne Hotel (Dublin).  An oratory within the castle was reputedly designed by George Ashlin (1837-1921)who also designed the  Catholic church at Delvin. This castle is a located in a prominent position in the landscape and comprises extensive grounds.  Until recently it was the location of Delvin Castle Golf Club.  It remains in private hands and is not open to the public.