Dinner at Waterford Castle is a fine dining experience, we get dressed up, travel across to the private island by car ferry, explore the beauty of the castle and grounds with a glass of Prosecco upon arrival.

Ticket price: $110 per person (including gratuity)

Waterford Castle & The Fitzgeralds

Castle Structure

The first structure built by the Fitzgerald's was a Norman Keep; a tower like stone structure with thick walls, narrow slit windows and a lead roof. At that time the Keep would have been the core of any defence in battle and would have been virtually impenetrable. By the 14th century, the ruins of the Keep were no longer habitable. A tower, the centre part of the present Castle, was then constructed on the site of the old Keep. Initially it was relatively modest in size but over the years was enlarged, firstly by John (Purcell) Fitzgerald in 1849 and subsequently in 1875. In 1895 the East and West wings were added all built entirely of stone and still now indistinguishable between old and new. Another feature added to the Castle during the centuries was the roof top gargoyles. The gargoyles were brought from Castle Irwell in Manchester and belonged to a female ancestor. Up until the present century the Castle retained it's original arrow slit windows giving a fortress like exterior and a rather dark uncomfortable interior. It was during the last stage of expansion that the farm buildings and stable yard were developed on The Island to support an entire community.

Fitzgerald Dynasty - 15th Century Onwards

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Fitzgerald dynasty were the Kings of Ireland in all but name and held many feasts and banquets on The Island. The Castle was never out of the social limelight and figured prominently in the 18th century as the home of Mary Frances Fitzgerald (Est. 1775-1855), a formidable lady who dominated the social world of the time. At one stage engaged to the Duke of Wellington - The Iron Duke, who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo and later became a British Prime Minister - she broke off the engagement to marry her first cousin, John Purcell (1755-1852) in 1801. (John Purcell took the name of Fitzgerald when his wife Mary inherited her father's estate in 1818.

Of her children, Edward Fitzgerald (1809-1883) was the most prominent and is best remembered as being the translator of The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám. (A selection of poems by Omar Khayyám (1048-1131) written in quatrains in his native Iranian language, Farsi). Fitzgerald first pulished in 1859, some critics maintain that the poetic quality of Fitzgerald's finished product exceeded that of Khayyám's original quatrains.

Edward Fitzgerald was the great, great uncle of Mary Augusta de Lisle Purcell Fitzgerald (1908-1968), who was the last of that name to own the Castle, ending their 800 year legacy. She married an Italian Prince, Prince Caracciolo, whom she met while studying in Italy. On their return they made their home in Dublin, where she was a prominent patron of the Arts.

1958 Onwards

In 1958 the Igoe family who came from County Mayo yet had business interests in Rhodesia, bought the property from the Princess Caracciolo, thus ending the remarkable link between the Fitzgerald's and The Island. The Igoe's installed a five-acre complex of glasshouses from which they produced fruits and flowers. The chain link ferry was also commissioned at this time conveniently transporting residents and visitors alike to The Island across the Kings Channel.

Their interest in the venture and The Island passed to the Farren Brothers who concentrated on tomato growing, also updating the roads and fencing throughout The Island. In 1978 The Island was rented to Roger Shipsey, a Waterford Pedigree Dairy Farmer who saw a great advantage of The Island as a disease free area due to its isolation and later bought The Island outright. In 1987 Eddie Kearns bought The Island and preserved both its past and secured its future by opening the beauty of the Castle and The Island to all visitors by developing it into a luxurious Hotel and Country Club. In 1997 The Island sold to a business consortium.

The current owner, Seamus Walsh, purchased The Island in 2015. A local man from Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny who along with his family embrace this historic Island and great Castle. Breathing new life into the 48 Lodges, Golf Club and grounds whilst preserving the Castle and Island's rich history. Plans are in place to restore the 1870 farm buildings and stable yards to their former glory, whilst installing 21st century comforts. Seamus and his family have been welcomed by The Island's staff, many of whom have been here over 25 years.

Together their desire is to continue to share The Island with visitors, as the truly intimate internationally renowned historic Island experience it is.

Historic Features at Waterford Castle

The Fitzgerald Coat of Arms

Found above the fireplace in the Great Hall, the Fitzgerald Coat of Arms Crest reveals the story of the Norman family who became almost more Irish than the Irish themselves. The quarterly shield forms the centrepiece of the Crest. Crossed lines combine to form the St. Julian Cross. On the top left quarter and right bottom quarter of the shield are quarter crescent moons with a star in the centre. The top right and bottom left quarters of the shield is decorated with several boar heads which are a symbol of hospitality. The two angels holding the shield are protectors and guardians of the family and their helmets symbolise nobility. To the top right of the Crest, a hand holds a sword piercing a boar's head symbolising the family's graciousness and generosity in victory. The inscription at the top of the Arms 'Crom A Boo' is the family's war cry, translating as 'Dissolve Forever'. This motto refers to the family's old Norman allegiance to England and is a public declaration of their loyalty to their English heritage.

The monkey, which is an unusual symbol of Irish heraldry, is shown carrying a crescent moon and star. The crescent moon symbolises the second son and the star represents the third son. A family story revealed to successive generations explains the unique inclusion of the monkey on the Arms: Many centuries ago, the heir of the family died. His second son (symbolised by the crescent moon) acquired the title. His first two sons die, leaving the infant third son (symbolised by the star) as the only surviving heir. While the infant child was asleep upstairs, fire ravaged the home. Sensing danger the family's pet monkey made his way along the parapet and brought the infant to safety.

The Fitzgerald's preserved and paid homage to this unique story by planting a Monkey Puzzle Tree which has survived to this day and can be found standing majestically in the front of the Castle.

Antiquities

The castle's antiquities are an ornate and exquisitely beautiful representation of The Island's history. The Great Hall is decorated with Elizabethan Oak panelling, Portland Stone Walls, graceful arches and striking 16th century plastered ceiling. Also hanging in the Great Hall are the Aubusson Louis Seize style wool tapestries which originally adorned the Castle. One depicting an 18th century hunting party, the other depicting a christening party assembled outside a castle in 16th century costume. They were both lost at one time however relocated and returned to the Castle by Mr Kearns in 1988.

A Victorian Rococo carved giltwood over-mantle mirror hangs above the fireplace in the Fitzgerald Room. The Bar is a Victorian Louis Quinze in carved walnut, decorated with figural and animal panels, flower leaf scrolls, moulding and beading; A pair of distinguished 19th century English School oil paintings of racehorses with jockets at full pace also decorate the lounge along with portraits and photographs of the Fitzgerald family.

The Munster Room is exquisitely decorated with ceiling-high oak panelling, a carved oak mantelpiece and fine plastered ceiling. It also contains striking paintings, one of which is the portrait of 'An Architect' with his assistant at a table painted by J. Barry.

Beautiful antique furniture can be seen throughout the Castle; a carved oak settee and chairs decorated with eagles and swan heads; a pair of Victorian Jacobean style oak cabinets with upper cupboards enclosed by colour leaded glass and a pair of George III style carved mahogany cabinets. The cabinets are decorated with carved floral festoons and rosettes, which embellish the doors and yellow vein, inlaid marble tops with gothic markings; a George III style long case clock gently marks the passing of time. This handcrafted antique was made in Waterford and has a field panel door and brass dial.