Yes!  It is true!  There actually is a "Castle Caldwell."  Located in Fermanagh County, Ireland on the beautiful Lake Erne, is a Castle which used to belong to the Caldwell family.

The castle, originally built in 1612, was purchased by one James Caldwell, a well to do merchant from Enniskellen, in 1662.  The Castle remainded in the family for approx. 200 years and references have been found to a few individuals associated with the Castle.  One such reference is to a John Caldwell, Bart (ie. Baronet-- a young or new land holder) who had a daughter, Mary Anne Caldwell.  Mary Anne married Armar Lowry-Corry, Earl of Belmore, 1 Mar 1784.  She past away on 13 Dec 1841 (as listed in royalty records of the time).

As far as we have been able to determine thus far, the castle came into the hands of a Mr. Bloomfield in the early 1800's when he took to wife a woman of Caldwell descent.  Then, in 1849, John Caldwell Bloomfield is said to have inherited the castle "from his father."  But the Irish potato famine had just run its' course and the estate was in some jeopardy financially.  John, described as an amateur mineralogist, noticed a "vivid white" coating on the outside of some of the tenant farmers' small cottages.  He was informed that the coating was the result of clay deposits on the estate which were of unusually high quality.

John ordered a geological survey of his land and was informed that the clay contained all of the neccessary raw matarials to make Pottery--feldspar, kaolin, flint, clay and shale.  He took on two partners (Robert Williams Armstrong and David McBirney), talked the government into building a rail spur to nearby Belleck (4 miles to the west) and built a pottery factory, Mrs. Bloomfield laying the first foundation stone in 1853.  And thus were the beginnings of a very successful business and a line of pottery now known the world over as Belleck Pottery.  Unusual in its' luster and beauty, it has been a prized possession of Kings, Queens and many others for many years.

The estate itself is now a national nature and bird refuge, owned by the government.  It is located at the very northern most portion of Lough (Lake) Erne in Northern Ireland, at what is described as its' "narrow part."  Known for its' beautiful setting, it attracts many bird watchers and flora enthusiasts.

A well known Irish poet, William Allingham, in a portion of the poem "The Winding Banks of Erne" writes;

          "The Lough that winds through islands
           under Turaw mountain green,
           And Castle Caldwell's stretching woods
           with tranquil bays between;"
 

What a beautiful area it sounds like it must be!  I hope I might be able to see it some day.

Unfortunately, reports have it that the Castle is in a state somewhere between neglected and in ruins, now.  I am trying to track down a photograph that I know of with the intent of posting it on this site.  Wish me luck and . . .  check back to see if I'm successful!
Note: We succeeded! We do have pictures of the castle! Click on the camera at the top of the page.

Anyone interested in trying to save it?  It would be a shame to loose such a special family treasure, don't you think!

Note:

"Castle Caldwell Forest

Castle Caldwell Forest is a conservation forest containing red deer, bird sanctuaries and walking trails.
Castle Caldwell, located in the forest grounds, is a ruin but is due for restoration."

Much thanks to Pollyanna Brown for steering us to this interesting bit of information! I don't know the timing of this restoration project, but we first read of it on 10 Nov 1998. We will try to keep you posted.

You can check out the site where this info was obtained by going to www.guide-to-nireland.com/ferguide.htm

Michael R Caldwell