Portlick Castle aims to host functions and small weddings
The US-based owners of Portlick Castle in Glasson have stated their intention to use the historic structure as a venue for small weddings and similar type functions in a planning application which has been lodged with Westmeath County Council for major repair works.
The castle on the shore of Lough Ree dates back to the 12th century and was owned for more than 30 years by Australian businessman, art collector, and poet Luke Whitington, before it was sold in 2021 to a US-based couple in who have family roots in Clare.
The new owners, Vincent Cullinan, and his wife, Bonnie, are seeking planning permission for a bar, a bar licence and internal refurbishment works to the existing function rooms, lounges, toilets and existing structures to the rear of the castle, and state that the building is to be used “as a private residence and as a public guest/function venue and will host small weddings and similar type functions.” They also also applied for permission for revised internal room layouts for all eight bedrooms including revised en-suite bathrooms and toilets off each bedroom, along with revised commercial kitchen layout and function rooms.
The planning application also seeks retention permission for extensive essential repairs which have been carried out to the tower roof and other parts of the building, including the removal of all internal concrete floors (at ground floor level and first floor level in Great Hall) and replacement with limcrete floors and underfloor heating systems; repair and replacement of existing timber windows; the removal of damaged and rotten internal wall dry lining systems and their replacement with limecrete plaster finish to repaired walls; replacement of damaged and decayed internal joinery and repairs to all internal timber floors, walls and ceilings together with all associated site works.
Refurbishment works to the existing roads, car parking areas, fences, boundaries and landscaping also form part of the planning application.
Prior to being purchased by Vincent and Bonnie Cullinan, who are based in California, Portlick Castle had been unsuccessfully placed on the market on a number of occasions over recent decades. The building was re-advertised again in 2019 by Stan Bradbury of Custume Property in Athlone with a price tag of €1.4 million and was purchased by the Cullinans in 2021.
Speaking about the refurbishment project in 2023, Vincent Cullinan said that, while his main focus was on the restoration itself, he was hopeful that Portlick could ultimately become a venue for weddings, short stays, and other events.
"What we're trying to do right now is just restore the property. It had a lot of water damage, so our main objective has been getting the water out and protecting the structure, rebuilding the roofs, and re-pointing all the stonework.
"We haven't figured out everything that we're going to be doing with it yet, but we do plan on making it available to the public for weddings, short stays, and for local charitable events," he said.
The works to Portlick Castle are being led by Athlone-based MMA Architects
A survey and appraisal of the castle which was carried out by a County Clare-based building consultancy company on behalf of Vincent Cullinan, in January 2020, and is included in the planning file, stated that protecting the fabric of the building into the future “is imperative” and added that the purchaser should not underestimate the amount of money required to secure and improve the building.
The report noted that the building would require some “significant remedial work” to protect it due to the damage caused by water ingress and condensation in recent years. It also noted that the requirement for a building like this being able to breathe “cannot be overstated” and added that “much stripping back of the fabric” would be required before it can be reinstated properly.
The survey and appraisal report also touched on the cost aspect of carrying out repairs to the historic castle, but added that it would be “very difficult” to provide an exact estimate on the cost of repairing and securing the building without detailed specifications and drawings” However, a figure of close to €1 million was estimated for works such as roof structure repair; windows and doors, external walls improvement works and drainage and other works, with this figure not including professional or any other fees.
Westmeath County Council is due to make a decision on the planning application by April 9 next.