Portlick Castle

Portlick Castle is a historic late medieval tower house situated near the village of Glasson in County Westmeath, Ireland, approximately six miles from Athlone on the shores of Lough Ree. The core structure is a square, four-storey stone tower dating back to circa 1500. Over the centuries, the building evolved significantly in architectural style. The Dillon family, who originally held the lands, likely constructed the initial fortification. Later, the Smyth family, who acquired the property in the early eighteenth century, added a two-storey Georgian residential wing. In 1860, Robert Ralph Smyth further expanded the estate by building a castellated three-storey Victorian tower at the front, creating the distinctive twin-tower appearance that characterizes the castle today.

The site holds considerable historical significance, with roots tracing back to Sir Henry de Leon, who accompanied Prince John to Ireland in the twelfth century. His descendants, the Dillons, resided at Portlick until 1696 when Garrett Dillon was attainted under the Articles of Limerick and forced into exile. Following a period of Crown repossession and ownership by Thomas Keightley, the castle was sold to Reverend Robert Smyth in 1703, remaining in that family until 1955. The property suffered a devastating fire in July 1861 which rendered it uninhabitable for over a century, destroying valuable furniture, plate, and books.

In modern times, the castle underwent a major transformation after being purchased in 1988 by Luke Whitington, an Australian poet and experienced restorer. He undertook extensive refurbishment and re-roofing projects, securing official certification for habitation in 2000. By 2012, the restored castle, set within twenty-seven acres of land, was available for both sale and short-term rental, offering visitors a chance to stay in a building that blends medieval origins with Georgian and Victorian enhancements.