Stollmeyer's Castle, Port of Spain

Stollmeyer’s Castle, or “Killarney,” is a Scottish Baronial-style mansion and part of the Magnificent Seven near Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. Built between 1902 and 1904 in the Saint Clair neighborhood, it was the first house in the area, once a government stock farm. Designed by Scottish architect Robert Gillies, its structure, inspired by a wing of Balmoral Castle, features Laventille quarry stone, brick accents, and decorative cast iron pillars from Scotland.

Commissioned by Charles Fourier Stollmeyer, the castle was initially intended as his family residence. However, his wife found it too grand for her taste, leading Stollmeyer to gift the property to his son, Conrad, upon his marriage. The name "Killarney" was given by Conrad's wife, who had hoped to honeymoon in Killarney, Ireland.

The castle's architecture blends an austere exterior with a warm and inviting interior. Highlights include beautiful stained-glass windows, hand-crafted wooden floors, a wrap-around balcony, and an elegant staircase. The kitchen, located externally, was connected to the main building by an open corridor, alongside stables and workers' quarters built during the same period.

During World War II, Killarney, like its neighboring White Hall, was requisitioned by the United States Forces and nicknamed "The Castle." It was after this period that the property became widely known as Stollmeyer's Castle. The Stollmeyer family retained ownership until 1972, after which it was sold to insurance executive Jessy Henry A. Mahabir. In 1979, the government of Trinidad and Tobago acquired the property.

Subsequent restoration efforts began in the late 1990s, initially led by Citizens for Conservation. In 2008, the building underwent additional refurbishments to prepare it for use as a Hospitality House for visiting dignitaries. Today, the castle is managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts. It serves as a heritage site protected by the National Trust and is rented for various functions, preserving its historic and architectural legacy.