Castle Saunderson

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Castle Saunderson is a castle near Belturbet, County Cavan, in the Republic of Ireland. It was the family seat of the Saunderson family, who built the original castle in 1573, the present castle dating from the 1840s.^{[citation needed]} A notable member of the family born there was Edward Saunderson, founder of the Ulster Unionist Party.

Captain Alexander Saunderson sold the Castle in 1977 to a businessman, who planned to use it as a residence, but this never transpired. It later served as a hotel, but was damaged by fire, the third fire to occur at the Castle. In 1997 it was acquired by Scouting Ireland (CSI). The subsequent formation of Scouting Ireland and financial difficulties have resulted in the estate being sold. It will however still be developed as a cross-border Scout campsite.

The Saunderson Castle estate (currently only 103 acres)^{[citation needed]} has an entrance in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These grounds include a church and family grave yard.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ The Ireland Funds - Your Money at Work : The Castle Saunderson Project