A magnificent tower house with a fab distillery

Knappogue Castle was built in 1467 by Sean MacNamara. Besides a brief confiscation during Cromwell’s Parliament, it remained in the MacNamara’s ownership until 1800. It was then sold to the Scott family and then to Theobald Fitzwalter Butler, 14th Baron Lord Dunboyne in 1867. The Butlers hired the famous Pain Brothers as architects who added the clocktower and gateways to give it a more romantic appearance. In the early 20th century Knappogue served as the headquarters of the East Clare Brigade of the IRA. It was bought in 1966 by the Hon. Mark Edwin Andrews of Houston Texas and along with his architect wife Lavonne carried out extensive restoration. It has since been the host to two Irish presidents, as well as other heads of state, including General de Gaulle. Today, the castle is used as a venue for weddings, medieval banquets, and an excellent distillery.