Sleady Castle

Sleady Castle lies in the townland of Sleadycastle, in County Waterford, in Ireland.

Sleady Castle was built in 1628 by Philip McGrath. Tradition has it that it was built for his new wife, Catherine le Poer of Curraghmore, because she would only move in with him if she had a residence befitting her status. 

Around 1640 the McGraths were dispossessed by the English Crown. According to one story, this was because they were accused of assisting a band of raiders who had kidnapped some officers of the Clonmel garrison from the castle during a dinner. These officers were later found murdered. The castle and its lands were given to Sir Richard Osborne, 1st Baronet.

The castle fell into a slow decline and is said to have been last occupied in 1765.

In 1876, it was recorded to have been owned by a John O'Keeffe. In 1957, it was auctioned off and in 1970 acquired by its present owners.

The castle was a fortified stronghouse. Originally it had a cruciform plan but the wing at the north side, which contained the entrance, has gone, together with almost the entire north side of the castle.

At present, Sleady Castle is situated on the boundary of a couple of private residences and its interior is now part of a paddock. Thus, it can not be visited and only viewed from the public road. A nice ruin.

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