Newpark Country House stands on the ancient grounds of the O'Kelly Clan. In 1351 the O'kelly Chieftan William Boy (Bui-meaning golden haired), a prince of unbound munificence, held a great feast and invited a host of musicians and poets to spend Christmas with him at Galey Castle, on the bank of Lough Ree, just north of the present Newpark House. This grand gesture gave rise to the the expression 'Failte Ui Cheallaig', indicating a warm and hospitible welcome. In 1353 he founded the magnificent abbey of Kilconnel, the ruins of which are still well preserved.
The photo above is taken from the back of Moyvannan castle and shows The white building of Newpark behind and Lough Ree
The O'Kellys were said to be hereditary treasures to the O'Connor Kings of Connacht, and owned several castles throughout Eire including the local castles of Mote near Roscommon town, & Moyvannan castle located just above Newpark House. Moyvannan's earliest remaining link of its Celtic past is the Ringfort, known locally as the Fairy Fort, the remnants of which are on the drive up to the castle.
The O'Kelly Chieftans were to remain at Moyvannan castle, until the Tudor conquest of Ireland began in 1534 with Henry V111, and then further onslaught from Elizabeth 1 slowly crushed the Gaelic resurgence. As a consequence the best lands were confiscated for settling with Protestant English owners or Tenants. In 1643 Edmund Og O'Kelly was disposed of Moyvannan Castle his lands and estate for his part in the 1641 rebellion of the Old Irish. (part of his land was the Estate of Newpark House) Many castles were destroyed by Cromwells artillery, but Moyvannan survived possibly as it was used by Cromwells forces during the eleven years war, as a consequence of Cromwellian disposession, From the 17th & 18th century many O'Kelly's had been made paupers, and they were no longer affluent members of this major Clan of Ireland, and many of them left with the Wild Geese after the seige of Limerick, creating new careers and distinguishing them selves on the battle fields of Europe, usually fighting against the English.
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