HISTORY
The Clare Castle Hotel opened 04/04/1859
The Clare Castle hotel (bottom left of photo) and Kapunda Mines 1876
In
1859 the Clare Castle Hotel was erected at the corner of Carrington
street and Main street, Kapunda. It was first Licensed by James Glynn
in 1859.
Clare
Castle Hotel was used for “Bench of Magistrate” hearings for
inquests into deaths and accidents in the local Kapunda district. The
board included Dr Blood, local councillors and other local luminaries.
The following is an extract from the "South Australian Advertiser" dated Saturday 1st of October 1859"
"A Lighthouse has lately been erected at the new house, called the Clare Castle Inn, at the southern entrance to the town. This will be the only use and benefit it can possibly afford to travellers and inhabitants Previous to the light being exhibited it was a matter of much danger for travellers to pilot their way among the dangerous passes, precipices, quarries, and cuttings which obstruct the entrance to Kapunda. The Government road is wholly useless. The only chance for them was to follow the innumerable dray tracks which intersect the quarries, and not steer for the light or they will stand a good chance of breaking their necks. There is a good field of operations thus opened for the Harbour-Master to distinguish himself and benefit his country, in making a chart, fixing buoys, and giving the various bearings to be observed in entering the township. Some day a scene of frightful accident and loss of life will happen here, then perhaps the Central Road Board will think it worth their while to make good the main road."
Hotel Licence association board 1859 : "James Glynn, Clare Castle Hotel, Kapunda. Granted, subject to the report of the Police Inspector."
Publican James Glynn, died at river ford on Mary MacKillop walk on his way to Church services at St Johns, July 25th 1862.
Newspaper extract on the death of James Glynn:
"Kapunda. July 24th 1862
South Australian Register:
I am sorry to record the death, by drowning, of Mr. James Glynn,
landlord of the Clare Castle Hotel here. He was attempting to cross the
Light river on the road to the Catholic chapel last evening when the
river being flooded he was washed away and never seen again. His horse
was found this morning dead. I regret to add that he leaves a widow and
several children. This is the highest flood known, and the first man
drowned in this river for ten years."
Mr Glynn's death as reported in "The Empire" newspaper Sydney, August 1962
"Our Kapunda correspondent's letter contains the melancholy intelligence of the drowning of Mr. James Glynn, of the Clare Castle Hotel We have obtained a little additional information from a private source, to the effect that the unfortunate men was on his way to the Roman Catholic chapel for the purpose of making arrangements for the wedding of his daughter. It ls also stated that, finding the river too deep and rapid for him he attempted to turn his horse back after getting in, but the animal was taken off its legs, and both man and horse were washed away."
Margaret
Glynn was granted the right to continue the license of the Clare Castle
hotel in December 1862, due to the tragic circumstances of the death of
her Husband
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to Thomas Leonard in 1865
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to Thomas Judge in 1866 -1867
Mr
Judge died within a year of owning the Inn, his wife continued the
License until The Magistrates board refused to reinstate it due to the
unkempt appearance of the interior
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to M. Leonard in 1868
The Licence was refused in 1870 on the grounds that the accommodation was very inferior, and that tho house was not required
The Licence was reinstated to W. Slattery in 1872
From the "South Australian Register" 6 March 1876
"Narrow Escape"
.—
About midday on Saturday, the 4th March, a boy, son of Mr, Y. Slattery,
of the Clare Castle Hotel, Kapunda, while striking a match in one of
the bedrooms allowed it to come in contact with the window-curtains.
They at once ignited, causing an almost instantaneous blaze which
quickly spread over the whole of the room. The alarm was at once given,
and Mr. J. Warne and Mr. Smith, of the Kapunda Mine, who were on the
premises at the time, rendered immediate assistance. Water, which was at
once conveyed to the spot subdued the flames, which, had they been
allowed free play in minute or two longer, must have produced a most
serious conflagration. As it terminated the loss only amounted to £4 or
£5, and Mr. Slattery besides had his hands roasted in his endeavour to
extinguish the flames.
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to William Slattery in 1876
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to G. Young in 1882
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to M. McInerheny in 1883
Extract from January 20, South Australian Register 1885
"The inquest on the body of Heinrich Rossmann, who died suddenly yesterday evening at the Clare Castle Hotel, resulted in a verdict to the effect that deceased died from natural causes, the medical evidence showing a rupture of the intestines, caused by an ulcer, producing inflammation of the bowels. . which was the cause of death. Mr. Benham, J.P., acted as Coroner.
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to Mr. Fitzgerald in 1891
The "Clare Castle Inn" was licensed to E.T.B. Murphy in 1899
The Clare Castle Hotel was licensed to K. V. Maher in 1902
The Clare Castle Hotel was licensed to J. Kilduff in 1903
The Clare Castle Hotel was licensed to J. & P. Driscoll in 1904
The Clare Castle Hotel was licensed to T. Simpson 1905
Extract from "The Register" 28th august 1909
"During the rough weather of last week the 40ft. flagstaff at the Clare Castle Hotel was broken off short at the parapet of the building, and crime down with a crash on the roof. "
The Clare Castle Hotel was licensed to J. T. Hansberry in 1920
Extract from "The Register" 17th august 1927
"Mrs. Johanna Slattery, who died at the residence of her son, Mr. D. J. Slattery. of Waterloo, on Friday, at the age of 30 years, was born in County Kerry, Ireland. She arrived in South Australia with her husband, and took over the Clare Castle Hotel, Kapunda This proved a profitable venture, and the couple remained there for about 11 years, during which time Mr. Slattery built the Imperial Hotel at Terowie. They sold the Hotel at Kapunda and bought a farm at Fords. After living there for about six years , they took over the Imperial Hotel at Terowie, remaining there about 18 months."
Extract from "The Advertiser" 24th July 1940
"LICENCE REMOVAL APPLICATION Before Mr. Ray. S.M. John Louis Hansberry. licensee of the Clare Castle Hotel, Main street, Kapunda. yesterday applied to the East Midland Licensing Court, silting at the Adelaide Licensing Court room, for removal of his licence to premises to be erected at McGuire terrace Cadell. Objection was taken that the removal was not required for the accommodation of the public by Harry Stapleton. Crabb. licensee of Morgan, and Fred Blades, of Unley Park. Part heard and adjourned until today Mr. J. L. Travers for Hansberrv. Mr. Eric Millhouse for objectors."
Extract from "The Advertiser" 22nd July 1952
"Kapunda Revelation:
Does anyone know the meaning of this 'coat of arms' or emblem? After many layers of paper in the quaint Clare Castle Hotel at the Adelaide end of Kapunda had been removed, this design, measuring three feet, was found painted on the wall above the mantelpiece in the front room: it is in gold, green and black. 
