This is a beautiful gatelodge situated just outside the town of Ballycastle.
Magherintemple Lodge was built in the Scottish Baronial style in 1874, possibly by the architect S P Close. At the same time as the lodge was constructed, an extension was added to the main house also in the same style. The family believes that the main house was designed by John Lanyon but no definite evidence for the name of the architect survives. The original Georgian House was relatively modest but contained good reeded ornamentation with the Victorian addition containing much fancy pine detailing. It was John Casement, great uncle and guardian of Sir Roger, who built on the Victorian wing, adding a date stone and his initials over the drawing room window. The Scottish Baronial style he chose was very plain. However, the stepped gables, finials and chimney stacks break up the austerity of the building. This Victorian addition considerably improved the value of the estate. We know that in 1834, the house was valued at only £11.15.0 and between 1851 and 1879, the house and outbuildings were valued at £25. In 1878 it was shown as "rebuilding", and in the following year the valuation had shot up to £60.
John Casement inscribed over the front door of his home, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths" and later in his life decided to take the pledge. Many of the next generation of the Casement family took to seafaring.
The fate of another member of the family, Sir Roger Casement, is well known. Read "In Ireland, Chasing the Ghost of the Rebel Roger Casement" - an article from the New York Times written by Rosie Schaap. The article references Casement's connection to Magherintemple and the area.
