A CASE of chickenpox saved the last inhabitants of Enniscorthy Castle from going down with the Titanic.
This is one of the many nuggets of local history contained in new displays at the castle, which opens its doors to the public at noon today.
A national monument, Enniscorthy Castle has not welcomed visitors since the Wexford County Museum, which it housed, closed in late 2006. The building was in poor condition then and damp had taken a significant toll.
However, the familiar landmark on the bank of the River Slaney has undergone extensive refurbishment – from the dungeon with its 16th century drawing of a halberdier, to the roof with its stunning views of Enniscorthy town and surrounding areas. This is the latest reincarnation of the castle in its history of over 800 years.
A lot of plasterwork (using a traditional lime render) was required, and a heating system and lift – both firsts for the castle – were installed, along with new stairs giving access to the roof and to an emergency exit. The work was funded by the Office of Public Works and Wexford County Council.
When the museum closed five years ago, the collection was given to the council for safekeeping.
On the ground floor, visitors get an introduction to the castle and can learn about its development and the surrounding settlements through the centuries.
The first floor, now the Roche floor, contains reproductions of the rooms of Henry J Roche and his family, who were the last occupants of the castle from 1903 to 1951.
What brings this floor of the castle to life are photographs and displays donated by David Hasslacher, grandson of Henry J Roche and his wife Josephine.
Accompanying the photographs are Mr Hasslacher’s memories. One interesting story is about Mrs Roche’s Chinchilla rabbit breeding on the roof.
Another is about the family’s near miss with the Titanic. Josephine was from the famous Shriver family, now closely associated with the Kennedys. She hailed from Maryland in the United States, and the Roches returned to visit her family there every five years.
They were due to travel over on the Titanic in 1912, but just before they were due to leave Enniscorthy one of their five children, Shriver, developed chickenpox. Their bags had already been dispatched to Cobh, but fortunately the family didn’t follow.
To mark the castle’s reopening, admission will be free until September.