Speaking on behalf of the developer [Gosford Castle Development Limited], Arthur Acheson of The Boyd Partnership (ironically it was the Achesons who originally commissioned the building, with stone pillaged from the Annacloughmullion Cairn near Lislea) said,

‘Applications have been made for Listed Buildings Consent and Planning Permission with the intent to convert the Castle into twenty-three private homes.

This gives the public and elected representatives an opportunity to see and comment on our plans.’ So that’s all right, then.

The announcement of the sale was made by the (English) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jeff Rooker.

The press blurb alleged that ‘significant interest was forthcoming in 2002 when the property was advertised on the open market’, presumably the reason it took four years to complete at the ‘competitive tender’ of £1000.

The same blurb, clearly oblivious of the affect on potential purchasers of the ‘flats’ in the future, went on to describe the Castle.

‘Inside the narrow, unlit corridors, cramped stairwells, extremely thick walls, constructed with granite “reportedly” (wrongly!!) from Mullaghglass Quarries, and the mouldings around the window arches, effectively recreate the gloomy outlay of a Norman Castle. (Really? 600 years later? Why?)

‘There were 197 rooms, including stairways and the 45 basement rooms, making it the largest house in Ireland. In 1819 Archibald Acheson, the Second Earl of Gosford commissioned Thomas Hopper to design his castle. It fell into disuse in 1921 on the death of the Fourth Earl.

U S soldiers, and sappers of the Royal Artillery and the Pioneer Corps were billeted there briefly in World War II. Also detained there were a number of German prisoners-of-war. Again it was briefly utilised by the military in the 1970s. Its reincarnation as a hotel in 1983 was very brief. It has lain vacant since.

It was the Ministry of Agriculture that acquired the castle in 1958, establishing the forest park. One wonders now at the (legal) strength of clauses requiring much financial expenditure to secure the building’s integrity against the forces of nature, and whether or not the taxpayer will repossess the site and lands should the developer fail to deliver on the necessary commitment. 

The 5000 year old Annacloughmullion cairn, one of the most impressive of all Ireland, was pillaged to create a ‘folly’ that saw only partial and very temporary habitation for one mere century. Scepticism has been expressed as to whether there will be many takers if ever these cold, dark, draughty and lofty chambers are converted to ‘flats’.