We are very proud to have the owners of the wonderful Belvelly Castle, Anne and Garry Wilson, as firm friends of our group and our festival. It nearly goes without saying that we miss them terribly due to the unavoidable travel restrictions of pandemic, and we wish them well in every way and we do hope to see them again as soon as it becomes possible. The Castlekeeper Jonathan Lee deserves a special mention for his positive and supportive role in assisting our group’s activities, and he represents the Castle so well as an ambassador while Anne & Garry are not there. We cannot thank them all enough.
Why not visit their great website http://www.belvellycastle.com, and find out more about this landmark building, and its history. Here is a little bit about the Castle in their own words.
Perched majestically at the gateway to The Great Island, Belvelly Castle has been a keeper of this coastal gem for centuries. Built in the 13th Century, it has witnessed and survived Medieval battles, played its part in Irish history and been a beacon for emigrants as they crossed Belvelly bridge saying goodbye to Ireland for the final time.
Steeped in history and folklore, this local landmark slowly fell victim to age and decay. But with all great buildings, the castle chose a new custodian, many had come before, but not been up to the challenge it laid out before them. A unique set of skills and determination were needed and the castle found those in Anne and Garry Wilson. Their desire and passion to do right by this castle meant they enlisted a community of craftsmen and stonemasons to combine skills from the 13th Century and modern technology to ensure that Belvelly Castle and it’s newest resident, the Thinking Man, would watch over the bridge for many centuries to come.
Now a unique private family residence the Castle at Belvelly is a testament to its current custodians, its original builders and the community that helped to return it to its former glory. It thrives in being part of that community, hosting Arts and Charity events and continues to be the keeper of The Great Island.
“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. ”
-Henry David Thoreau
© Cobh Readers & Writers 2020
created by Great Island CM&T
Cobh Readers and Writers 