Minister Secures the Restoration & Future Viability of Gosford Castle

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The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Bríd Rodgers, today announced the plan for the restoration and future viability of Gosford Castle, Markethill, Co Armagh.

The Minister said:

“It is with great pleasure that I am able to choose the Boyd Partnership, acting on behalf of Joint Venture Developers Lagan Developments Limited and Dado Developments Limited, to secure the future of Gosford Castle.”

The Castle is a Grade A listed Building and lies within Gosford Forest Park, which is managed by the Forest Service. The Castle was commissioned for Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford, and later Governor of Canada in 1819. The castle took 20 years to complete. The Gosford family vacated the Estate in 1921 and it passed through several owners and uses, including a spell during World War II when the Castle was used as a billet for American troops. The Castle was last used as a hotel over 16 years ago.

Gosford Castle was declared surplus to requirements and advertised on the open market in January 2002. Belfast Estate Agents O’Connor, Kennedy and Turtle advertised the Castle. Interested parties were invited to submit ‘Expressions of Interest’ by 28 February 2002.

Ten initial submissions were received and the Gosford Castle Steering Committee (consisting of representatives of the Forest Service, InvestNI, Valuation and Lands Agency, Environment and Heritage Service and O’Connor, Kennedy and Turtle) invited further information regarding mainly the restoration and future economic viability from each of the interested parties. Six of the groups replied. The Steering Committee further shortlisted the applicants and invited them to give presentations on their plans for the future of the castle on 18 June, before making their recommendation.

Arthur Acheson, speaking for Boyd Partnership, said:

“We are thrilled to have been chosen to refurbish the original Castle to accommodate a truly unique selection of individual homes. Unlike the conversion of many stately homes, we have decided to avoid apartment accommodation and instead develop the building as a series of houses, which adjoin each other. All the houses will have their own front doors, their own hallways and staircases, and in some cases, as many as four floors of accommodation. The final result will be that each family will enjoy elegant accommodation (some of it highly decorated) which originally took two decades to perfect in the 1800’s.

“Sympathetic restoration to 21st century standards will be undertaken by a team of master craftsmen and associated guarantees will be available. For the purchaser who has always dreamt of owning a castle in hundreds of acres of parkland setting, that dream can now become a reality without the upkeep and maintenance normally associated with stately homes. A wide variety of houses within Gosford Castle will be available from under 1000 sq ft to over 4000 sq ft.

“Our vision as developers of Gosford Castle is to create a fully restored castle and associated buildings which will be home to a number of like-minded families who will live in an opulent community environment, private and secure from the public Forest Park but with all the benefits of direct access to the Park. In addition to their own private terraces, courtyards and/or lawns as appropriate, residents will also share in the management and use of the wonderful gardens, lawns, courtyard and walled garden of Gosford Castle, creating opportunities for quiet times and for special occasions.

“Upon completion of works, and occupation of the homes, this will be an ideal and truly tranquil environment for like-minded families who relish their privacy and enjoy good architecture, a civilised ambience and the countryside of County Armagh.

“The developer intends to accompany genuinely interested purchasers to Gosford’s sister Castle in Penrhyn, North Wales, a National Trust property. Penrhyn Castle, designed by Gosford’s architect, has been refurbished and still contains original furniture and decoration in keeping with its period. It is a fascinating example of the classic grandeur that purchasers can realistically achieve within their Castle homes.’

Notes to Editors

1. Gosford Castle was originally designed as domestic accommodation. The Joint Venture Developers will restore the Castle to appropriate standards and return it to its original use. The Castle will be subdivided into dwellings, thus retaining the existing fabric of the building. The project is economically sustainable in its own right and is not dependent on grant aid. A Licence period has been agreed with the Developer to ensure full restoration of the Castle. Remedial work will begin within a short period of time.

2. The project, which includes the castle car park and the walled garden, is non-intrusive and therefore will have little impact on the Forest Park. The Park will continue to be used for the quiet enjoyment of the Northern Ireland public. The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are releasing the Castle for the greater good, thus securing a long term future for the Grade A Listed Building.

3. Further information on the project is available from Ulster Property Sales, 1 Church Street, Downpatrick 028 4461 4101 and Best Property Services, 108 Hill Street, Newry 028 3025 4961 on behalf of the developer, and Karen Orr, 028 9052 4453 on behalf of the Forest Service.