Dunboyne Castle, originally built for the Lords Dunboyne, has been inhabited by the Butler family and used as a convent and hotel. The house dates back to the mid-eighteenth century and has undergone several changes of ownership. It is now a popular hotel with ornate features and large lawns.
When visiting the town of Dunboyne west of Dublin, Ireland, you are likely to come across Dunboyne Castle, a house built in the town originally intended to house the Lords Dunboyne. The Butler family have historically been the inhabitants of this castle, although in modern times Dunboyne Castle has been used as a convent and more recently as a hotel. The house dates back to the mid-eighteenth century, although part of the house was probably built later. As the house’s condition deteriorated over the years, sections were torn down for safety reasons.
The last of the Butler family to live at Dunboyne Castle was John Butler, who moved into the house in the latter part of his life. He was Catholic bishop of Cork, but converted and became a Protestant; he married in hopes of producing an heir, and while a son was born, the child did not survive. After John Butler’s death, Dunboyne Castle became the subject of legal action and the property was divided between more than one group. The castle subsequently began to fall into disrepair until renovations were carried out in the latter part of the 19th century.
Dunboyne Castle has undergone several changes of ownership, eventually becoming a convent. A chapel would have been built within the castle to cater for the needs of the nuns who lived there. It would remain a convent until the 1990s, when the condition of the building led to its closure and partial demolition. For more than a decade afterward, the castle was unoccupied and in need of repairs, until it was purchased and reopened as a hotel in the early 2000s.
The castle itself is quite ornate and has large lawns around the park. Inside, the impressive ballroom was converted into a chapel, but was reconverted to a ballroom after the convent closed. Stucco ceilings are common throughout the castle. It is a popular choice with tourists due to its proximity to Dublin, especially Dublin Airport. Unlike many other castles, Dunboyne Castle does not have the appearance of what might be considered a traditional castle structure; instead, it is a house built in the Georgian architectural style that was ubiquitous during the time the castle was built. It has the outward appearance of a large mansion, with only a small stairway leading up to the building’s entrance.
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