History of Markree Castle
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Times
remained turbulent and during an attempt by the English King James to regain
the throne, Markree Castle was occupied by the Catholic army and the Coopers
had to flee. But after the battle of the Boyne in 1690, they returned for
good. The Coopers were always involved in whatever happened in the area and
they integrated themselves in the local community. Each generation left its
mark on the estate, but the castle as we know it today dates from 1802.The family was always politically involved and several ancestors represented the county at Westminster. They did not always follow party policy (maybe because they were descended from the O'Briens) and opposed the Act of Union, which was in favour of a union with Great Britain. Those who supported the union were rewarded with a title by the King, and that is the reason why Markree is one of the few large castles in Ireland whose owners have not been made noblemen.
In 1922, the grandfather of the current Charles Cooper was one of only two Unionist Members of Parliament to be elected to the first Irish Dail (Parliament) after independence.
After the Second World War, Markree Castle fell on hard times and it stood empty for many years until, in 1989, Charles Cooper had the brilliant idea of transforming his ancestral castle into a hotel.
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