Why You Should Visit Charleville Castle: Wednesday Filming Location
If you are visiting Ireland and looking for a beautiful castle to visit, consider making the trip to see Charleville Castle in Tullamore, Ireland. This castle is often referred to as the Tin Soldier Fortress due to its magnificent exterior that looks almost too perfect to be real!
A trip to Charleville Castle offers you the opportunity to go on a guided tour through grand rooms where Irish nobility once entertained, while learning about its fascinating (and haunted) history!
Did I mention that this was also a filming location for the Netflix show, Wednesday?
Your tour will also showcase where specific scenes from the hit show were filmed!
Charleville Forest
As you drive through Charleville Forest on the way to the castle, you will be overwhelmed by the eeriness of the oak-lined road.
This ancient oak forest was once part of an estate that was given to the Moore family in 1577 by Queen Elizabeth I.
The King Oak, which sits along the path to the castle, is believed to be nearly 900 years old.
It certainly makes sense that this was chosen as a Wednesday filming location. It can be really spooky if you visit near dusk.
Charleville Castle
When you approach the castle, you will feel as though you have stepped back in time.
There aren’t many intact castles in Ireland, and this one, which was built in the early 1800s, is stunning.
With its octagonal and round towers, arched windows, and battlemented offices, the castle certainly looks like something much older than it is.
Charles William Bury, the 1st Earl of Charleville, inherited the land in 1797 and employed Francis Johnston, who created Dublin’s iconic General Post Office and Chapel Royal in Dublin to bring his design to life.
Tour of Charleville Castle
When you book your guided tour, you will have to be very flexible.
The tours are run by a team of volunteers, and the tours are based on their availability.
When you arrive, you will meet your tour guide in front of the doors to the castle.
As you enter the double doors, you will find a grand staircase that takes you to the second floor, where guests would have gathered with their hosts.
This is where your tour will begin and where you will learn about the history of the castle, along with some great insider information about the filming of Wednesday.
Fans of Wednesday will appreciate the Nevermore insignia on the stairposts.
These stairs are featured several times in Episode 4 of Season 3.
When she takes the stairs to the top to see where the hooded stalker might have run off to, it is, in fact, the south-facing Gallery at the top of the stairs.
This room has a plaster ceiling with fan vaulting that is stunning, enormous pendants, hand-carved fireplaces, and large windows that overlook the garden.
The Gallery would have been where the family would have entertained guests. You can almost imagine them gathered round the piano singing.
It is also where you will find the same piano that was shown in the Wednesday music room.
The dining room is another beautiful room that features a coffered ceiling and a hand-carved fireplace.
The ceiling features family crests for both the Moores and the Burys in the panel and is supported by a Gothic frieze of miniature fan vaults.
The Drawing Room is on the opposite side of the Gallery and shares an archway that leads to the music room.
The music room, while decorated, does not have its original furnishings.
One of the most interesting rooms in the castle is the library.
This room is filled with books and normal items that would be found in such a room.
One thing that you might not notice when first looking around the room is that there is a hidden door in one of the bookcases.
This was also used in the filming of Wednesday, specifically in Episode 4 of Season 2.
Is Charleville Castle Haunted?
As with any historic home built in the 1800s, there are often tales of death happening inside the home.
This is certainly true for Charleville Castle.
Just off the left side of the grand staircase, past the Library, is the staircase that the family would have used to reach their private rooms.
Harriot, one of Charles Bury’s children, lost her life after falling from the staircase that would take the family to their private rooms.
It is said that she was sliding down the banister on her way to dinner when she flew off the end and crashed headfirst into the wall.
She was 8 years old at the time of her death, and people have claimed to hear children’s laughter and see a female apparition on or near the staircase.
This staircase was also featured in Wednesday as the stairs leading to her dorm room.
Another room that guides mentioned to be, if not haunted, certainly a hot spot for paranormal activity is the guest bedroom.
The bedroom is actually in the octagonal tower and features a uniquely eight-pointed star ceiling.
The legend has it that one night a couple was staying in the room and had quite the fright.
The wife left the room to use the restroom, and the husband, who was in the room, heard something strange at the door.
When he went to see what was going on, he found himself locked in the room.
Scared out of his mind at being locked in the room, he pounded the door and called for his wife, who, upon hearing his screams, opened the door without any issue.
Overall, the trip to visit Charleville Castle was wonderful. Being able to walk through a castle that was once left to ruin and then brought back to life through donations is incredible.
Whether you are a fan of history or the hit Netflix show Wednesday, you should definitely add this castle to your list of must-visit places in Ireland!
How to Get to Charleville Castle
From Dublin, Tullamore is only about 1 hour & 15-minute drive. Once in Tullamore, take the R420 road towards Kilbeggan. There will be signs for Charleville Castle that lead you into the estate. Parking is directly in front of the castle.
You can also train to Tullamore from cities like Galway, Dublin & Limerick. From Tullamore Train Station, you should grab a taxi to the castle.
Want to read this article later? Pin it so you don’t forget it!
