Ancient Bullawn Stone

 

From the Introduction to the "Rite of Dana, Druid Initiation", by Olivia Robertson:

"In our field bordering the Derry is our ancient Bullawn Stone. Thousands of years ago this was used for grinding corn, so forming a cup which holds healing rain water. It was sacred to the Sun and Grain Goddess, Grainne. It is still used for curing warts by local people. It was joined at the turn of the century by a meteorite that landed by our avenue, and glowed for two years. Rooks sat on it warming their behinds! A meteorite is a legendary marker for a Holy place. Within our Temple of Isis in the castle is a holy well traditionally associated with the bullawn stone. The castle was built around it in 1625, so our ancestors have always drunk from its healing waters. The well is dedicated to the Goddess Brighid. We use it for everyday drinking, ritual and healing, and for promoting psychic vision."

(© photo Durdin-Robertson, Huntington/Clonegal Castle: http://www.huntingtoncastle.com)

Reopening of Castle Gardens

 

The Castle gardens, playground and tearoom (takeaway) will be re-opening this weekend at Clonegal / Huntington Castle.  Saturday and Sunday 11am-5pm.

Huntington Castle Website

(© photo Durdin-Robertson)

Castle Grounds

The Foundation Center Castle grounds are open once again from 11am-5pm. For more information, please see their website: 

Clonegal / Huntington Castle

(© Statue of Atlanta, S. Durdin-Robertson, copyright reserved)

Castle tours and FOI festivals

The Castle tearooms and gardens are now open to the public everyday from 11am to 5pm and tours of the house are held at 2, 3, 4 and 5pm. Visit their website for fees and directions:

Huntington Castle Website

For FOI events, if you are visiting during any of the eight seasonal festivals, please contact the Rainbow Circle of Brigid for an invitation: 

Fellowship of Isis Events

(© photo copyright Durdin-Robertson)

Castle Tours

 

The Castle is holding summer tours once again. The Gardens and Tearoom are open 11am-5pm and tours of the House are 2pm, 3pm and 4pm, May through September.

https://www.huntingtoncastle.com/

(photo © Durdin-Robertson)

Lime Tree Avenue: Foundation Center

 

 

Quote from the booklet "Clonegal Castle", by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson:

 

"The trees forming the Front Avenue are mainly Lime trees with a few Sycamore; they were planted in 1680 from France. In 1933 Mr. Fitzpatrick, of the Forestry Department, included some of these for measurement. Two of them, on the right side, looking down from the castle were found to be 110 feet, the tallest recorded lime and sycamore in Ireland at that time."

 

 

Archival Link:

Writings of Lawrence Durdin-Robertson

 

 

(Photo copyright Durdin-Robertson, Huntington/Clonegal Castle)

Visiting Clonegal Castle

The Castle conducts tours throughout the summer months - visit their website for fees and directions:

Huntington Castle Website

If you are visiting during any of the FOI's 8 seasonal festivals, please contact the Circle of Brigid for an invitation:

Fellowship of Isis Event Invitations

 

 

 

(photo copyright Durdin-Robertson)

Aerial Castle View

Great aerial view of the Foundation Center Castle.  Shared from the Castle Facebook page, copyright the Durdin-Robertson family.


Related Facebook pages:
Huntington Castle (known as Clonegal Castle within the FOI)
Fellowship of Isis  (you'll need to first sign in to FB to view this page)

Guided Tours at the Castle

 

 Eimear Burke, member of the Circle of Brigid, wanted to share this letter with everyone today.  It addresses the guided tours that regularly occur at Clonegal Castle.  To read, please click on this link:

Guided Tours at the Castle


"The energy in the Temple is wonderfully alive.
Olivia would most certainly approve.
Her presence there can be felt most strongly and lovingly.
Her heritage is solid and is a good base
for the unfolding of her vision for the FOI."

Misty Owl Tower

 

East Wing of Castle - Owl Tower

 

 

 

Homepage Archive link: Photo Gallery



Castle Grounds

"The garden is counted to be the second oldest garden in Ireland.  The terraces were laid out by Alexander (ii) Durdin in about 1860.  Much of the wilderness was tilled, for root crops.  The terraces were dug down about 4 feet and the bank removed by the Rev. Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, who also filled in the path on the southeast side of the Castle and the path running from the house to the centre walk."

Quote from the booklet "Clonegal Castle," by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson.

 

 

(photo by Stacy S., copyright reserved)

 

Old Abbey and Owl Tower

 

"The old ruins to the North of the Castle has always been known as the 'Abbey.' It may have been used by Franciscan monks, or it may have been part of the Augustinian Abbey of Abbeydown, two miles to the East. There are no records (written); it is thought to be over 600 years old. It was kept as a kennel for harriers, by William Durdin. It has two very old cells, which may have been oratory chapels. they have 3'6" roofs and date back to the 15th century."

 

Lawrence Durdin-Robertson

"Guide to Clonegal Castle" 

 

(photo by Olivia Robertson, cropped/enhanced by this website.)

 

More Castle Photos:  Photo Galleries

Yew Walk at Clonegal Castle

 

"The Yew Walk at the S. East of the Castle, is thought to have been planted by monks. It is a line of 120 English Yew Trees 130 yards long. . . The Yew Walk is a line of 120 yew trees which bend over forming an arch. It is thought to be over 600 years old, being part of the Old Abbey grounds." (From the book "Clonegal Castle" by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson)


(photo copyright J.D. Mabbott)

 

 

Castle Fountain

Fountain with Clonegal Castle in background.  Olivia wrote about this photo:  "Same view Director Stanley Kubrik took for opening shots in 'Barry Lyndon'!"


Archival link:  Castle Photo Gallery

The Old Abbey

"The old ruins to the North of the Castle has always been known as the 'Abbey.' It may have been used by Franciscan monks, or it may have been part of the Augustinian Abbey of Abbeydown, two miles to the East. There are no records (written); it is thought to be over 600 years old. It was kept as a kennel for harriers, by William Durdin. It has two very old cells, which may have been oratory chapels. they have 3' 6" roofs and date back to the 15th century."

(Quote from the "Guide to Clonegal Castle" by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson. Photo of the "Old Abbey" by Olivia Robertson and further enhanced by this site, all rights reserved.)


Fellowship of Isis Homepage Archive

Huntington Castle Website

From Minette Quick:

"Dear All,

Alexander Durdin-Robertson, who now runs a year-round programme of attractive events open to the public, including guided tours of the Grounds and Castle and so on, has invited our Fellowship websites to include a link to the Castle's own website at http://www.huntingtoncastle.com/, so that visitors can get an overall picture of what is available at Clonegal nowadays and come along.

It might be an idea to make it clear that although the Fellowship refers to the Castle as 'Foundation Centre' or Clonegal Castle, which was its old name - and it is in the village of Clonegal on the borders of Counties Carlow and Wexford in Ireland - it is also known as Huntington Castle, and all general, non-FOI information, can only be found under that name.

There is no change to the usual 'Invitations' system for those wishing to attend any of the 8 annual festivals held by the FOI at the Castle by request via the Hon. Sec. of the Circle of Brigid which assists in running them.

Many good wishes,
Minette"
(May 27, 2012)

*******************************
Links: Invitations to FOI seasonal events
More about Clonegal / Huntington Castle

(Photo from Olivia Robertson, all rights reserved.)

Entrance to the Temple of Isis through the Portico of Clonegal Castle.  Eight hand-carved granite columns surround the alcove of the Goddess Persephone, while the Goddess Atlanta welcomes those who follow the steps up to the Conservatory.  To be sent an invitation to the Castle's seasonal festivals, please see this page for contact information:

Castle Seasonal Events

 

(Photo copyright protected, do not reproduce. Thank you.)

The Animals of Clonegal Castle

A fun new section has been added to our Photo Gallery:

The Animals of Clonegal Castle

Photo of Olivia Robertson and Otto, the the Burmese Mountain Dog, by Dennis Murphy of Logic Reality.

Related Link:  The Animal Family of Isis

Regarding Visits to the Castle

Received this morning from Minette Quick, Hon. Sec. of the Circle of Brigid:

"Now that the season for Guided Tours of the Castle and Grounds is open for the summer months of June, July and August, I would be grateful if you would make it clear under FAQ's that general questions regarding visits to Huntington Castle for Guided Tours of the Castle and Grounds, and non-FOI events such as concerts etc., should be addressed to http://www.huntingtoncastle.com/.

Members wishing to come to one of our Fellowship Festivals at Huntington should continue to contact hon.sec.circleofbrigid@gmail.com for an invitation. It should be noted that these Festivals are private events and are not advertised on-line anywhere. The Castle is a private home and is not open to the public except for advertised events.

Thank you so much.
Minette Quick (hon.sec.circleofbrigid)"

Snowy Clonegal

As many of you know (and are experiencing yourselves), much of Ireland has been undergoing a cold and snowy winter this year. A friend has shared these photos after a recent snowfall, as well as several others which have been added to the "Winter Snowfall" section of this page of the Photo Gallery:

The Seasons of Clonegal Castle

 
We will be adding more photos to this section later, as Olivia will be sending some as well.
 
Wherever you are, may you be surrounded by the beauty of the season, and have a safe and most blessed new year!
 
 
(Photos courtesy and copyrighted M. Moore.  All rights reserved.)