On Sunday 23rd September JEC NI met outside Antrim town for the short drive to Antrim Castle Gardens. The weather forecast was poor for our tour organised by our chairman Ed Shaw and his wife Sharon.
Our guides Andrew and Ellie told us about the history of the castle which was built originally in 1613. After a family gathering in October 1922 the castle caught fire and was destroyed. Although all the evidence pointed to arson this was never proven and insurance monies were not paid leading to the castle becoming a ruin. The castle remained a ruin until its demolition in 1970. The family renovated the existing stable block into a residence renaming it as Clotworthy House.
They then took us on a tour of the grounds showing us the two long canals, the parterre walled garden and opened the secret tunnel which housed the water pumping station.
Clotworthy House and Gardens were acquired by Antrim Borough Council and in 1992 converted it into an arts centre with the formal gardens being given a £6m restoration making them a popular visitor attraction in the area.
Apart from the rain a great informative day out. We finished with a meal in a local Antrim hotel.
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