Killua Castle, near Clonmellon, Co. Meath

The former residence of the Chapman family with links to T.E. Lawrence and Sir Walter Raleigh. The existing house was built, to replace a previous structure, as a Georgian house in the 1780’s by Sir Benjamin Chapman.  His house was built to plans by Thomas Cooley known for his works at the Royal Exchange, Dublin. Sir Thomas Chapman, younger brother of Sir Benjamin castellated the house starting in 1812 and finishing works by 1826. James Shiel was involved as architect. The Chapmans lived in Killua Castle until 1919. The property was subsequently sold and transformed into a golf club by William Hackett. After his death in 1942, the house was sold again and its roof was removed in 1944. Killua became an ivy cladded ruin until its restoration started in 2000.