IFHS Journal 2025
Just outside Castlepollard in Westmeath, this magnificent Gothic revival Castle has been home to the Pakenhams, Earls of Longford, for over 370 years.
The family began as adventurers under Charles II but for the last hundred years have been put down the sword in favour of the pen. And there are many tales of the history and scandals of the family.
Thomas Pakenham, a well-known historian and arborist is the current custodian of the Castle, along with his fellow writer and wife Valerie, who has recently published a new Guidebook to the Midlands, and a collection of Maria Edgeworth’s Letters from Ireland.
There are tours available. The tour includes the Great Hall, the dining room, the drawing room and the historic library with over 5000 volumes. It continues into the extensive servants’ quarters where the enormous Old Kitchen, and the Laundry remain untouched from the high Victorian era.
If you would like to book a tour for your group, take a look at their website or email them at the address below for further details. Tours are available Thursdays-Saturdays until the end of September and a group discount is available for groups of 20+ (normal price per person €16, including garden entry).
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