Rosturk Castle is situated on the Corraun peninsula in Clew Bay, County Mayo, Ireland, offering panoramic views of the islet-studded bay and its mountainous backdrop. The original structure was a sporting lodge erected by Lieutenant-Colonel John Francis Vaughan of Courtfield, Hertfordshire. The castle was significantly enlarged and extended in the Victorian period by Robert Vesey Stoney, transforming it into a substantial country house.
Architectural Features
The castle is a detached five-bay structure with both two- and three-storey split-level elements arranged on a square plan. Notable features include:
- Single-bay three-storey turrets on circular plans
- Two-bay two-storey south elevation and four-bay three-storey north elevation
- Single-bay three-stage towers on square plans
- Battlemented capping and looped wrought iron double gates at the perimeter
- Georgian Gothic-influenced design elements
The interior features include a top-lit double-height hall, carved timber surrounds, timber paneled doors, and a dog-leg plan staircase with chamfered timber balusters. The design deliberately maximizes views over Clew Bay, with diminishing window scales on each floor creating a graduated visual impression.
The Stoney Family Estate
The Stoney family built up a considerable estate in the Burrishoole area during the latter half of the 19th century. James Butler Stoney and his son Robert Vesey Stoney expanded their holdings to include:
- Nearly 7,000 acres in County Mayo by 1876
- Additional lands near Boyle in County Roscommon
- The Elwood lands of Knockroe and Kilkeeran through marriage
Robert Vesey Stoney JP DL (1841-1924) served as High Sheriff of County Mayo in 1884. The estate remained connected to several notable family members, including Lieutenant-Commander Robert Vesey Stoney RNVC (1903-44), who was killed in action in Freetown, Sierra Leone during World War II.
Historical Significance
During the Irish War of Independence, Rosturk Castle played an unexpected role as a safe house for Republican fighters. In 1923, it provided shelter to Jack Connolly and his companions after his escape from Galway Jail, demonstrating the complex relationships between Anglo-Irish landowners and the independence movement.
Land Reform and Sale
The sale of the Stoney estate to the Congested Districts Board occurred during a period of significant land reform in Ireland. The process unfolded in multiple phases:
Initial Sale (1900)
In June 1900, the Congested Districts Board purchased 5,019 acres of the Stoney estate. This land consisted of:
- 2,292 acres of tenanted land
- 405 acres of arable land under direct landlord control
- 2,520 acres of mountain land
The total purchase price for this portion was £7,300, with the arable land accounting for £5,667 and the mountain land valued at £800.
Second Phase (1905-1906)
A second agreement was reached on May 1st, 1905, for an additional 198 acres, priced at £3,975. This transaction included an unusual condition: the Board would resell 1,965 acres of mountain land back to Mr. Stoney for £600 – the same price the Board had originally paid for it. This arrangement was made to facilitate the acquisition of 175 acres of arable land needed for enlarging small holdings on the estate.
Management Under the Board
During the Board’s management of the mountain land (1901-1904), they attempted various uses:
- The land was made available for local tenants’ grazing
- Over forty tenants utilized the grazing rights
- Grazing rates ranged from 1s. to 2s. 6d. per head of cattle per month
- The Board briefly attempted their own cattle operation in 1903, purchasing 34 cattle, though this proved unsuccessful
Final Transactions
The sale to the Congested Districts Board continued with:
- 29 January 1914: Transfer of 764 acres in County Roscommon
This series of transactions represented part of the broader policy of the Congested Districts Board to acquire and redistribute large estates to address land congestion and agricultural reform in the west of Ireland.
Modern Era
The castle underwent significant transitions throughout the 20th century, reflecting the broader changes in Irish society and Anglo-Irish relations. During the period of upheaval in the early 1920s, the property was seized in 1921, though the circumstances of this seizure and its duration are not fully documented in available records.
The Stoney family maintained their connection to the property for most of the 20th century, and their influence extended beyond the physical bounds of the estate. Notable family members who lived at or were connected to Rosturk Castle during this period included Tom Stoney, who later became Archdeacon of Dal Riada in Northern Ireland. Tom Stoney served as a Church of Ireland clergyman and later became Archdeacon of Dal Riada in Northern Ireland, where he was known for his dedicated service to his parishioners across all denominations during the challenging period of the Troubles.
Major changes came in the 1970s when the castle was sold to Dr. Healy of St Luke’s Hospital, Dublin, marking the end of the Stoney family’s direct connection to the property.
In 1994, significant repair work was carried out on the property, helping to preserve its architectural features for future generations. Today, the castle remains a significant example of Victorian-era Anglo-Irish architecture, combining defensive features with the period’s romantic architectural style. Its crenellated towers and arrow-slit windows, though built more for aesthetic than defensive purposes, exemplify the Walter-Scottish romantic influence on Irish country house architecture of the period.
The castle’s evolving role in the community and its preservation serve as a testament to County Mayo’s complex social and political history, while its architectural integrity makes it an important part of Ireland’s built heritage. The property stands as a reminder of the interconnected nature of Irish and Anglo-Irish history, and the ways in which such buildings have adapted to changing times while maintaining their historical significance.
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