Johnstown Castle 042aOriginally uploaded by Joyz Life.
The primary reason for our trip to Ireland was for Don to look up family connections. His maternal grandfather was an Esmonde, a prominent family that lived in Wexford long ago, and he remembers a photo his grandmother had of a castle. On the back of the photo was written “The Esmonde Family Castle.”
We took the train from Dublin to Wexford (after an aborted attempt at renting a car) and hopped in a taxi to get to our hotel. On the way to our hotel, Shane, our driver, chatted with us about the sights of Wexford. Among them is Johnstown Castle, the very one Don remembered from his grandmothers photo!
The original Castle was built 450 years ago in early Norman times by the Esmonde family. The castle was confiscated by Oliver Cromwell (boo, hiss) from the Esmondes (who were Catholics) in the 1600’s and given to Lieut. Col. Overstreet in settlement for arrears of pay. (England sure must have owed him a lot of money.) The castle was in private hands until 1945.
The original castle is gone and the present castle is a fine example of 19th century Gothic revival architecture, the original style that emerged in Norman times in Europe. Because the interior is not safe or suitable for tours, the castle itself is not open to visitors but the gardens are, as are the 19th Century former stables and carriage house, which was turned into the Irish Agricultural Museum. We stopped by the museum and the curator gave Don a copy of an article about the history of the castle. The 19th Century gardens have been preserved and we were so lucky to have a bright, sunny day to enjoy them. 
Wexford holds a world-class annual opera festival in June and the castle estate is hosting the 50th anniversary festival this year in a huge tent while the new opera house is being finished.
September 16, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I traveled to see Johnstown Castle in August 2006.. I, also am said to be decended from the Esmondes.. I have a coat of arms with the Esmonde crest.. I am curious to see if you do also and maybe we could compare them.. My paternal grandmother was a Callaghan, and her mother was an O’Kerrigan.. I was told by my (deceased) father that his aunt (mother’s sister) had research done that stated that we were decended from the Esmondes.. Her (their) brother was named Esmond. However, I have been unable to make the paper connection (proof) , as when Dad’s Aunt Alice died, her documentation was lost.. Any help you could give would be marvelous!
Leslie