Restoring the former glory to a famous great island treasure.
Belvelly Castle, perched at the edge of the water by the stone bridge linking the picturesque island of Cobh to the mainland, presented the perfect opportunity.
The magnitude of the task of reclaiming the building had proved off-putting to potential developers in the past. However, in early 2016, the Wilsons embarked on their ambitious journey, full of optimism...
The primary objective of the restoration was to make the castle a luxurious space, fit for the 21st Century, whilst retaining the essential character of the building.
John Montgomery, Garry’s uncle, was heavily involved with the project from the start, networking with the locals and gathering together artisans from all the various trades which would be required to resurrect the castle. Mindful of its ghostly history, John took precautions; inviting the local clergy to perform an exorcism on site and to bless the structure going forward.
Yorkshire-based interior designer, Peter Plaskitt and architect, Andrew Burningham, then came on boardto help realise the couple’s dream of making Belvelly Castle an aesthetically striking piece of restoration.
One of the primary tasks was to stabilise the 80 foot high structure and, as work began in earnest, the castle was enfolded in scaffolding and hidden from view. Temporary joists were inserted as a precautionary measure. Then ring beams were installed on each floor, acting like a rib cage holding the body of the castle together.
Drying out and heating the centuries-old stone building was always going to be problematic and, after considering the options, the decision was made to install the latest in underfloor heating technology. work.
Having stabilised the building, expert stonemasons, Ahern Bros, turned their attention to the many thousands of stones making up the castle walls. A firm emphasis was placed on adopting the use of traditional methods to maintain stylistic continuity and period authenticity, in consultation with the planning department and local archaeologist, Daniel Noonan.
The main hall in the dining room, was unsafe and had to be taken down and meticulously rebuilt. Many of the stones retain the numbers which were chalked on as they were removed –ensuring that each piece could be precisely reinstated like an oversized puzzle.
Months of painstaking effort went into rebuilding the missing parts and making damaged areas safe, either inside or hidden from view by the scaffolding. However in July 2017, the tooth-shaped capstones were precision lifted into place and the castle finally regained its battlement ‘crown’.
Come the beginning of 2018, the project was months behind schedule and costs were spiralling way beyond the original budget. Delays were caused by a number of factors; badweather, technical hitches and the plethora of complications encountered as a result of the sheer scale of the project and the inevitable restrictions imposed by the historic aspect of the restoration.
The oft-postponed arrival of the spiral staircase marked a significant step forward, although getting the inner thread of the 1.5 tonne structure through the window opening on the second floor was a major feat of engineering in itself. This was achieved with bare inches to spare.
With the end still nowhere in sight, 2018 was a long, dark year for the Wilson’s venture. ‘We knew Belvelly would be a massive undertaking, but things have become intense at times” Garry said. “Costs have gone up and up, but there’s no regrets. We will make this castle habitable for future generations and it will be an incredible space to enjoy.”
Having survived the challenges and set-backs of 2018, Belvelly Castle was at last approaching completion and attention could be turned to the finishing touches. Anne had commissioned the Irish artist, Orla de Brí, to create a sculpture that would be visible from the roof-top and mark - not only a significant birthday for Garry - but also the journey of the restoration of the castle.
Her creation, entitled ‘Quiet Listening’ was installed in September 2018, comprising ‘The Thinking Man’ a 3m high bronze figure and ‘The Golden Tree’ a 5m tree covered in gold leaf. The two pieces reflect the contemplation of past and present, the old and the new. The reclamationof the abandoned castle signals new growth and hope for the future.
As Garry says, ‘We are only custodians, it will last another 600 years. We have ensured that future generations will touch the same stone as the Hodnetts touched.’
Although the castle is a private residence, the Wilson’s hold several events throughout the year in support of the local community. And, despite being ‘blow-ins’, they have at times been over-whelmed by the welcome, generosity and support of the people of Cobh.