Foulksrath Castle
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Foulksrath Castle (Irish: Caislean Ratha) is a 15th century Anglo-Norman tower house located in Jenkinstown in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It currently functions as a hostel in the An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association) network, which is affiliated with Hostelling International. It was built by the Purcell clan, who also constructed several others nearby. After over three centuries as owners, the family was reduced to living as peasants in the castle stables after it was confiscated by Oliver Cromwell and given to his officers after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland.
The castle was slated for demolition in 1946 but was saved by community support. It was renovated and opened as a hostel in 1948, making it the oldest hostel in Ireland.
Foulksrath Castle is well preserved and restored, with most of the outer wall and some ancillary structures also surviving in addition to the main tower. A pitched roof has been added over the centre of the tower, though the open-air walk along the tower's crenellated battlement has been preserved and is still accessible. Inside, three single sex dormitory rooms and two family rooms house up to 52 visitors. A kitchen and bath facilities, as well as a medieval-decorated dining hall have also been added. A narrow spiral staircase connects the four stories.
Stories have circulated that Foulksrath Castle is haunted by the daughter of the original owner, who was supposedly killed in the tower. A BBC television crew of British ghost hunters visited in 1992. Other ghosts include a woman who was killed by her lover and haunts the castle by creating the scent of lilacs. The owner/keeper of the castle has claimed to see ghosts as well.
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