Ireland · Restored
Barberstown Castle
Barberstown Castle is a medieval stone castle in Straffan, County Kildare, Ireland, originally built around 1288 and later extended in the 19th century. It has been used as a hotel since 1971 and stands within about 20 acres of gardens. A subterranean tunnel linking the castle toward the nearby parish church was revealed during 20th-century renovations.
Its prime
1835
Today
Restored
As it stood in 1835
The shape it held in its prime.
A compact grey-stone castle dominated by a tall, square keep and a slightly lower square tower, both finished with crenellated parapets; walls show coursed rubble and small narrow slit windows. The roofline is flat behind the battlements and lower 19th-century masonry wings extend from the medieval towers. The building sits low within mature gardens and lawns with scattered trees; overall condition at its prime is complete and occupied with intact battlements and continuous stone walls.
Its story
The story of Barberstown Castle.
Barberstown Castle was built by Nicholas Barby around 1288, on land originally owned by the Fitzgerald family, at Straffan in County Kildare, 25 km west of Dublin. In 1630 the property was owned by William Sutton, of one of the foremost families in the area, and in 1689 it was confiscated from Lord Kingston by the Earl of Tyrconnell after the accession of King James II.
In 1703 Bartholomew Vanhomrigh — Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1697 and father of Vanessa, lover of Dean Swift — bought the castle with 335 acres for £1,033. He sold it to the Henrys, who under financial pressure sold it to Hugh Barton of the wine family behind Barton and Guestier. Renovations in 1996 revealed a previously undiscovered tunnel linking the castle to the nearby church in Straffan, thought to have been used under the Penal Laws.
Sold on by the Huddlestons in the 20th century, the castle has operated as a hotel since 1971, surrounded by 20 acres of gardens. Eric Clapton purchased the property in 1979 and in 1987 sold it to the current owner, Ken Healy, who lives there.
Step inside
4 places to explore in 1835.
The record describes 4 distinct spots at Barberstown Castle — including 1 interior: stone tunnel entrance toward the church. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more photos, more angles and more rooms of the immersive experience.
Create History
Recreate Barberstown Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1835 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate Castle to Explore →Whose castle
Clans who held Barberstown Castle.
The families that held Barberstown Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Owned in 1630 by William Sutton, of one of the foremost families in the area.
Barton
Sold by the Henrys to Hugh Barton of the Barton and Guestier wine family.
