Despite its demolition having taken place in 1974, with the help of Minecraft-savvy students from around the county, the regal 19th-century castle is enjoying a virtual resurrection at Monaghan County Museum.

Having sourced original plans and photos of Rossmore Castle, the team have created an exact replica of it using the 3D world-building video game, Minecraft. The programme provides students with a complete tour of  the 3D castle replica and is loaded with educational resources. Local primary school pupils have been enjoying roaming the virtual halls and discovering more about the era’s architecture, engineering and heritage.

Watch the below short RTÉ News report on the project.

Funded by Creative Ireland, the ‘Minecraft meets the Museum’ project has proven a truly innovative way of making local history relevant and engaging for everyone. Once nestled just outside of Monaghan Town, the virtual replica of this Gothic structure will be the first time in a generation that locals have been able to interact with and explore this much-loved piece of Monaghan heritage. Not just a school resource, it’s hoped that the whole community will also get hands on with history and enjoy this novel step back in time.

Already accessible to schools via the Microsoft Education platform, the castle will soon be accessible to the wider public online and on-site at Monaghan County Museum.

Listen to Liam Bradley, Curator, Monaghan County Museum talking about the project on Today with Claire Byrne.

The family synonymous with Rossmore Castle, the Westenras, recently held a musical memorial event honouring the family’s musicianship and the life of their late father Lord ‘Paddy’ Rossmore. Held in the demesne’s beautiful walled gardens in September 2021, watch highlights of the event ‘The Airs That Once Through Rossmore’s Halls’ here.