An Overview of the Castlemartyr Resort Manor Suites by castlemartyrresort

The Saul Suite

Named after famous Horticulturist John Saul, who was born in Castlemartyr and worked in the White House gardens. He was named the first Chairman of the Washington Parks Commission in 1854. A plaque, dedicated to John Saul was unveiled by President Bill Clinton on the Castlemartyr Resort grounds in 2012. The plaque can be found beside the bridge and weir, near the pedestrian entrance to the Resort. Castlemartyr Resort has celebrated John Saul’s legacy in the past with a charity Summer picnic. We were delighted to welcome John’s direct descendants to Castlemartyr Resort in the Summer of 2019, with a wonderful celebration and presentation with the John Saul Society and Mayor of County Cork.

President Bill Clinton at the unveiling of the John Saul plaque in 2012.

A profile of John Saul

John Saul’s descendants visiting the hotel for a celebration in Summer 2019.

Hear our fascinating history for yourself on a tour of the Castlemartyr Resort grounds by horse and carriage with our third generation grounds-keeper Roy Daly. Ask our reception team for more information. (Subject to availability)

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The Arnott Suite

Named after the famous Lady Fitzgerald (the name behind our Afternoon Tea), who became Lady Arnott upon marrying Sir John Arnott (of the famous Arnott’s department store in Dublin). Sir John Arnott was a well-known businessman and entrepreneur in Cork, known primarily for his brewing, while the Fitzgerald family have had close ties with Castlemartyr and in particular Castlemartyr Castle for hundreds of years.

Sir John Arnott, famous entrepreneur.

The Lady Fitzgerald Afternoon Tea. Available daily in the Bell Tower Restaurant.

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The Desmond Suite

Named after the Earls of Desmond, who have a long and storied history with Castlemartyr, Imokilly and the surrounding areas. James Fitzgerald, the 6th Earl of Desmond was appointed as Seneschal (effectively governor) of Imokilly in 1420. A role is family would occupy for 7 generations. The last of the seven Seneschals of Imokilly was the son of Edmund Fitzgerald and his wife ‘Shylie’ O’Carroll’ (Sheila O’Carroll).

The tomb of the Fitzgeralds of Imokilly in Balloughtera church. Note the boar crest at the top – this seems to have been adopted as the specific crest of the Seneschals.

An overview of the Earldom of Desmond at its peak.

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The St. Callaghan Suite Named after the old church, dedicated to St. Callaghan (St. Ceallachan) at Ballyoughtera. The church is a short picturesque walk from the Resort (A walking map that shows the trail to the church is available at reception) and is the home of some fascinating graves and local history. At the northern end of Ballyoughtera church ruin is the grave of Richard Boyle, the 4th Earl of Shannon who died in 1868, while inside the ruined church are rare traces of a medieval cross. In the south-east corner of the old church in Ballyoughtera, a stone has a boar crest surrounded by triple incised circles and shallow cross carving which is also encircle.

The tomb of the Fitzgeralds of Imokilly in Balloughtera church. Note the boar crest at the top – this seems to have been adopted as the specific crest of the Seneschals.

The ruins of Balloughtera church, a short walk from the Resort grounds.

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The Bell View Suite

Named due to the Suite’s position overlooking the original Manor House Bell and original bell tower. The bell, and it’s original stone tower, which is over 150 years old, was the inspiration behind our Bell Tower fine dining restaurant. The tower stands over the Manor House’s kitchens and dining area, and is also visible from the formal and herb gardens while walking around the grounds. The Bell Tower fine dining restaurant specialises in utilizing the finest local ingredients in a variety of stunning dishes. Reservations are available through our reception team.

The Bell Tower fine dining restaurant, located in the Manor House.

The ruins of the original bell and stone bell tower, visible from the formal and herb gardens.

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The Seneschal Suite

Named after the Fitzgeralds, Seneschals of Imokilly (effectively governors of Imokilly on behalf of the Earls of Desmond, the territory which stretches from Midleton to Youghal). Seneschals are defined as ‘Steward, particularly one in charge of a medieval nobleman’s estate’. The Fitzgeralds were descended from Maurice Fitzgerald, the second Knight of Kerry, with the last of the seven Seneschals of Imokilly the son of Edmund Fitzgerald and his wife ‘Shylie’ O’Carroll. There are a number of the Fitzgerald family buried nearby in the ruins of Balloughtera church (a short picturesque walk from the Resort), with the Seneschal crest clearly visible on their tombs.

The tomb of the Fitzgeralds of Imokilly in Balloughtera church. Note the boar crest at the top – this seems to have been adopted as the specific crest of the Seneschals.

The ruins of Balloughtera church, a short walk from the Resort grounds.

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The Geraldine Suite

Named after the architectural style of the Castlemartyr Castle, which was first built in 1210 by Richard Earl de Clare, more commonly known as Strongbow. Castlemartyr Castle was originally surrounded by a moat, which can be explored to the side of the castle, and is now used as a setting for weddings and concerts. The original entrance to the castle is signified by the white door near the Manor House terrace. Originally surrounded by four towers, the castle was dealt significant damage under cannon attack by Oliver Cromwell, with the stone and rubble later used in construction around the Manor House.

The ruins of Castlemartyr Castle, built in 1210.

The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife is an oilon-canvas painting by Daniel Maclise, painted in 1854. It is owned by and on permanent display in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

The Geraldine style towers of Castlemartyr Castle

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The Carmelite Suite

Before becoming a luxury hotel, the Manor House and grounds at Castlemartyr were the home of the Carmelite Order, who ran a Carmelite College from the years 1929 to 2003. The Knight’s Bar in the Manor House was the site of the Carmelite College’s chapel, and it’s intricate rococo ceiling was fully restored during the Manor House restoration project. As well as the Chapel, the hallway at the top of the Manor House staircase acted as a billiard room, while the area above the staircase extended even higher, with a pyramid shaped window capping the structure.

A selection of postcards showcasing the Castlemartyr manor House and grounds during its use by the Carmelite Order.

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The Strongbow Suite

Named after Richard Earl de Clare, more commonly known as Strongbow, who was instrumental in the building of Castlemartyr Castle in 1210. On the 26th August 1171 in Reginald’s Tower, Waterford, Richard de Clare married Aoife MacMurrough, daughter of Donal MacMurrough-Kavanagh, King of Leinster from 1171-1175. Richard de Clare, was the 2nd Earl of Pembroke, Lord of Leinster and Justiciar of Ireland. The remains of Richard de Clare are buried in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

The Strongbow Seal

The Marriage of Strongbow and Aoife is an oilon-canvas painting by Daniel Maclise, painted in 1854. It is owned by and on permanent display in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin

The ruins of Castlemartyr Castle, built in 1210.

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The Lord Shannon Suite

Named after Earls of Shannon, a title created in 1756 for the prominent Irish politician Henry Boyle, who served as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons and as Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer. The third Earl of Shannon, grandson of Henry, served as Lord Lieutenant of County Cork. The Shannon Family seat was Castlemartyr, which was the ancient seat of the Fitzgeralds. The Earls of Shannon took their title not from the river of that name, but from Shannon Park near Carrigaline. At the northern end of Ballyoughtera church ruin is the grave of another Richard Boyle, the 4th Earl of Shannon who died in 1868. This tomb bears the inscription, “A sorrowing wife placed this stone in memory of the best and most affectionate of husbands”.

Henry Boyle, 1st Earl of Shannon.

The ruins of Balloughtera church, a short walk from the Resort grounds.

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The Earl of Cork Suite Named after Richard Boyle, the 1st Earl of Cork (13 October 1566 – 15 September 1643), was also known as the Great Earl of Cork. In 1602, Richard Boyle bought Sir Walter Raleigh’s lands around Castlemartyr, including the Castlemartyr castle and estates, with the Boyle family continuing to live on the estate for years. Richard Boyle was father to Robert Boyle, the famous physicist, discoverer of Boyle’s Law.

Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork.

Boyle’s law, is an experimental gas law that describes how the pressure of a gas tends to increase as the volume of the container decreases.

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