Clonyn Castle

Clonyn Castle, also known as Delvin Castle, is a prominent Victorian country house located in Delvin, County Westmeath, Ireland, approximately 18 kilometers from Mullingar along the N52 road. Constructed in 1876 for Lord Greville and Lady Rosa Greville-Nugent, the building stands as one of the last Victorian baronial castles erected in Ireland. The structure is a symmetrical, two-storey edifice built from cut limestone, distinguished by four tall, round corner towers that give it a fortified appearance. Inside, the residence features a grand two-storey hall complete with a gallery and arcading, reflecting the opulent architectural style of the late nineteenth century.

The site holds deep historical significance, succeeding two earlier fortifications on or near the same grounds. The first castle was established around 1181 by Hugh de Lacy for Sir Gilbert de Nugent, while a second structure built in 1639 was famously burnt by its owner to prevent capture by Cromwell's forces before later being restored. The current mansion remained a seat of the Nugent family until legal disputes and financial difficulties in the 1890s led to its sale in 1922. Shortly after changing hands, the house suffered severe damage when it was gutted by arson in 1923 amidst local unrest.

Today, Clonyn Castle stands behind a public golf course situated just 500 meters from the center of Delvin. While the interior was devastated by the fire in the early twentieth century, the exterior shell of this limestone landmark remains a notable feature of the local landscape. The property serves as a visual reminder of the region's aristocratic past and the turbulent history of the Irish estate system during the transition from British rule to independence.