waterford castle

Lady Levinge of Clohamon was born in this castle, which stands on its own 310-acre island in the middle of the river Suir. Her grandfather, much married, was a noted local personality, her mother, who later became Princess d'Ardia Caracciolo, was a famous thirties beauty, who, it is said, had been known to swim the river when returning home from a hunt ball. The castle was built in the 1160s and had wings added in the 19th century. Now it has been bought by a wealthy local farmer and transformed into a comfortable and luxurious hotel. A small private ferry takes visitors and their vehicles over the 300 yards of river, where a large elegant launch is tied up waiting to take guests deep-sea fishing. The drive, edged with lamps, curves round through the woods, to immaculate gardens, lawns, and a tarmac forecourt in front of the massive stone towers of the crenelated castle. An oak staircase rises to what were once the master bedrooms, now suites, great lofty rooms, some with antique four-posters and bathrooms still with original tile-work.