Castlecoote House
Castlecoote House is a magnificent Georgian Palladian mansion. Encircled by the River Suck and surrounded by woodland and unspoilt pastoral countryside, the site has a fascinating and turbulent history. In the 14th and 15th centuries, a fort of the Mageraghty Clan stood there guarding the river’s strategic pass. It was refortified in the 1580’s by Sir Nicholas Malby, the President of Connaught, (who also built the impressive Roscommon Castle nearby). In 1616 the castle was granted to Sir Charles Coote. During many ferocious battles in the Confederate Wars of the 1640’s both the castle and its original entrance bridge were destroyed. Between 1690 and 1720 Castlecoote House was reconstructed from the ruins: the castle’s portal screen was converted to a Palladian facade but the asymmetric tower rooms in the North and East wings were retained as were the stone flagged floors and musket chambers of the lower ground floors.
The Gunning sisters
During the early 18th century Castlecoote House passed into the ownership of John Gunning and was the childhood home of his beautiful daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. They took London by storm and were celebrated by George II. They married well, one becoming the Duchesses of Hamilton and Argyle and the other the Countess of Coventry. During the 1750’s they sat for all the leading portrait artists of their day, including Francis Cotes and Sir Joshua Reynolds. A copy of Reynolds’ favourite painting of Elizabeth can be viewed in the Hall at Castlecoote House.
Maria died aged only 27. It is said that her funeral, in London, was attended by 10,000 mourners. Elizabeth had a long, illustrious life, becoming Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte. She was a patron of Roscommon’s renowned poet and playwright Oliver Goldsmith. A copy of Reynold’s famous portrait of Goldsmith, the original of which is in the National Gallery in Dublin, can be viewed in the library at Castlecoote House.
Percy French
It is well documented that Percy French performed in the drawing rooms of big houses throughout Ireland, and it is quite likely that he performed in Castlecoote House so close to his home. The house is owned by the son of one of the society’s founding fathers and he has set up The Percy French Summer School to continue the legacy of his father’s work, and that of the many other wonderful people, striving to bring Percy French to the people. It is intended that Roscommon’s permanent Percy French Room will be estblished at the house in conjunction with Roscommom County Council.
The Gardens
Three look-out towers remain almost intact, and today present commanding features overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens. The grounds also contain an orchard of rare apple trees, an ice house and medieval bridge ruins, all encircled by the beautiful River Suck.
Castlecoote House is situated in the picturesque fishing village of Castlecoote, 8 kms from Roscommon Town and a two hour drive from Dublin
From April to October
The Tea Rooms are open from Tuesdays to Sundays and Guided Tours of the House & Grounds are available between 2pm and 6pm
