- Durhamstown Castle hosted the Historic Houses of Ireland Autumn School Conference.
- The castle dates back to 1420 and is Ireland’s oldest continuously inhabited house.
- The property features original 600-year-old vaulted rooms and plasterwork spanning multiple eras.
- On-site workshops emphasised hands-on conservation and traditional building materials.
- Industry leaders addressed rising insurance costs and conservation funding gaps.
Durhamstown Castle in County Meath has hosted the Historic Houses of Ireland Autumn School Conference. The castle dates back to 1420 and is Ireland’s oldest continuously inhabited house. The event focused on heritage survival, biodiversity, traditional conservation skills and local advocacy.
The castle was built around 1420 as a Norman tower house and features original 600-year-old vaulted rooms. The property contains plasterwork spanning multiple eras from the Middle Ages to Victorian times. It is an officially protected Recorded Monument and holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited house in County Meath.
On-site workshops emphasised hands-on conservation and traditional building materials. Discussions highlighted that historic estates are living ecosystems where local ecological stewardship and community involvement are vital. Industry leaders addressed challenges facing private heritage owners including rising insurance costs and conservation funding gaps.
