Introduction

Castle Townshend has been the seat of the Townshend family in Ireland for many generations. The centre part was built around 1650. The original Castles were destroyed in the 17/18th Centuries. The two towers were then added to the present Castle, using the stone from the ruined Castle. It stands in spacious grounds facing southeast, overlooking the peaceful waterfront of Castletownshend harbour (pictured below).

.	The Castle (pictured left) has always remained the home of the Townshend family, as it has been passed down through the generations. The present family who live here are the Cochrane-Townshends, Mrs Cochrane-Townshend being a descendant of the original Townshends who came here in 1649

The ground floor hall/sitting room (below left) is oak panelled and the elegant dining room (below right) overlooks the waterfront. Both these rooms retain most of the original furniture and family portraits.

The village of Castletownshend (pictured below left) is centred around the steep main road that leads down to the Castle, the quayside and the harbour. There are a number of pubs in the village, including the Egon Ronay listed pub and restaurant Mary Anne's; there's also a post office and a shop. Below and to the right is the view of the Bay as seen from the Castle grounds on a summer's evening.