Cairo Magazine - Postcard from Clonegal

Nothing compares to a walk in green fields, the Slaney river leading your way, a chill drizzle caressing your face, listening to nature’s whispers as it tells the tale of a timeless land.

It’s the land of fairies, druids and Celtic legend. No matter where I go, I always come back to my beloved isle of the emerald mist.

This wasn’t my first visit to Ireland, but this time I had the chance to visit one of the country’s most enchanting places.

Hunnington Castle is located in the small, appealing village of Clonegal, between County Carlow and County Wexford in southeast Ireland. Home of the Durdin-Robertson family, it has been continually occupied since the original tower house was built in 1625 by Lord Esmond. The castle grounds are fit for a fairytale with their amazing greenery and a beautiful yew tree walk planted by monks 600 years ago.

I took a tour inside the castle, every corner and wall saturated with history and ancient memories. It felt almost like a trip back in time, since the castle kept its spirit and style throughout the centuries.

What makes Hunnington castle even more uniquely mystic is the large temple dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis that is situated in the basement dungeon.

I felt strange yet proud entering the heavy iron gate guarded by a mask of Neith, the Egyptian goddess of war and hunting. The main shrine is decorated with a breathtakingly beautiful statue of Isis. It was the last thing I expected to see in the heart of a 17th century Irish castle!

The spiritual group called the Fellowship of Isis was founded in 1976 by the matriarch of the Robertson family, Lady Olivia Robertson, who at 86 is still its leader. Olivia is also a well-known artist and writer.

The fellowship has more than 25,000 members worldwide.