Corscadden family announce purchase of Markree Castle

Markree Castle

The Corscadden family, who own and operate two of the North East’s most popular wedding venues, have announced the purchase of Markree Castle in Sligo.

The owners of Bellingham Castle in Castlebellingham and Cabra Castle in Kingscourt, have paid an undisclosed sum for the hotel which will now undergo a €5m restoration with a view to re-opening to the public in March 2016.

It’s the first time that the castle has changed hands since it was gifted to the Cooper family by Cromwell in the mid-17th century. The family put the property on the market back in September 2014 for an asking price which was understood to be €3.1m but no selling price has been disclosed for the sale.

“We are delighted to add this incredible property to the Corscadden collection of Irish castles,” said Howard Corscadden, whose family also run Ballyseede Castle in Co Kerry.

Last year the family completed the restoration of Bellingham Castle, which it acquired in 2012 for €900,000.

Bellingham Castle granted permission to retain refurbishments

The revamped Bellingham Castle

Bellingham Castle has been granted conditional planning permission to retain many of the refurbishments carried out to it following its reopening in January 2014.

Late last year owner Howard Corscadden applied to Louth County Council for retention permission for the work carried out at the castle including the internal refurbishment and decoration of rooms, internal alterations, the removal of non-original walls/partitions and stairs, the openings in original walls, the fireplace in the reception hall, the new bar and lounge, the restoration of existing external walls and the new stone entrance steps.

He has now been given the go ahead to retain the changes to the castle, which recently hosted The Voice of Ireland finalists.

Also set to be retained are the external landscapings, the lawns, new statues, water fountains, carparking and the security gates to the entrance driveway.

Permission has also been granted to lower the existing chimney to the front elevation and the amendment to the extract ducting.

Bellingham Castle seeking permission to retain refurbishments

The revamped Bellingham Castle

Bellingham Castle will be reopened a year following its refurbishment quite soon and anyone who has visited it in the past 12 months or so will tell you what a fine place it has become.

The castle, which recently hosted the judges from The Voice of Ireland, faces a sweat to hang on to many of those changes, however, after only recently applying for planning permission for the work carried out to the protected structure.

Owner Howard Corscadden has applied to Louth County Council for retention permission for the work carried out at the castle including the internal refurbishment and decoration of rooms, internal alterations, the removal of non-original walls/partitions and stairs, the openings in original walls, the fireplace in the reception hall, the new bar and lounge, the restoration of existing external walls and the new stone entrance steps.

Also seeking to be retained are the external landscapings, the lawns, new statues, water fountains, carparking and the security gates to the entrance driveway.

They are also seeking permission to lower the existing chimney to the front elevation and the amendment to the extract ducting.

Louth County Council are due to decide on the matter by December 18^th.