History of Gosford Forest Park

Gosford castle was built in the Neo-Norman Revival style and was the first of its type to be built in the British Isle, designed by Thomas Hopper, an architect of Royal Patronage, the Castle was built in the style for which he is regarded as being the finest

Constructed over a continuous 20 year period, commencing 1819, for Archibald Acheson, 2nd Earl of Gosford and later Governor of Canada, the exact style of the castle is thought to have greatly influenced by the Earl's wife, whose opinions were swayed by the romantic writings of the husband of her life-long friend, Lady Byron.

Literary historians may also be interested to know that the first Gosford Castle burnt in the 1805, was the setting from which Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's in Dublin a close and personal friend of Lord and Lady Gosford, wrote his classic, Gullivers Travels. The original manuscripts of his writings can be seen in the Church of Ireland Library, in Armagh City.

The present Castle was completed in 1839, for the 2nd Earl and cost in the region of £100,000 to £200,000. The massive complex of circular towers, angular keeps, bastions, tower-lets and arches have been masterly grouped to create a geometric pattern which must be viewed as a whole. The Mullaghglass granite used for the construction of the castle was quarried from the Mullaghglass quarry near Bessbrook, Newry Co Down.

The exterior's heavy stone work belies the delicate mouldings and carvings of the interior of the castle. The fireplace in the reception hall, reputedly Ireland's largest, the subtlety of Armagh marble in the Dinning Room's Adam fireplace,skirtings and pillars, the State room's vaulted ceiling are all part of what is Gosford Castle. In fact many master craftsmen worked on the castle. The talented sculptor of the time John Smyth worked on the intricate interior of the castle.

The walled garden dates from the early 1800s, and the bricks lining the walls are handmade and came from a long since closed down brickworks in Edward Street, Newry.
The garden was laid out in a cruciform shape, very different from its present day style. All kinds of vegetables, fruits and flowers would have been grown. Some of the original pear trees may still be seen against the back wall.

The Gosford family worshipped at the nearby Church of Ireland, at Mullabrack, Markethill. A Communion plate presented by the family to the church may be seen there and the pews in which they would have sat are also seen. There are wall plaques commemorating the family inside the church. The family tomb is in the adjoining graveyard, the last burial being held in the 1980's.

The family lived in the castle up until 1921, when a sale of the entire contents was held, lasting almost three weeks.