The History of Markree Castle

For 350 years, the Cooper family have been living in County Sligo in Ireland. Therefore, our story will be a wonderful journey through time, starting in the 16th century with the invasion of Ireland by Cromwell. The young officer Edward Cooper served under Cromwell when his army defeated the mighty O'Brien Clan. O'Brien himself lost his life in this battle, and Edward married his widow Marie Rua (Red Mary). With her and her two sons he went to live at Luimneach Castle in Co. Clare, which is now a ruin.

They were happy there, and later she even bore him a child. Cromwell's army marched on, further northwards, in spite of the fact at the time, he did not have the means to pay his officers. Instead, he gave them large pieces of land. Thus, he gave Markree Castle and the surrounding grounds to Edward Cooper.

Until then, Markree had been a fortified outpost of the Irish McDonagh Clan, with a fort that was built on the banks of the river Unsin. Of Red Mary's three sons one died, the second was left the castle in Limerick and the third one inherited Markree Castle. Charles Cooper, the current owner of the hotel, is a direct descendant of the third son.

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