The Bell Board

Recently restored, this bell board has been seen many generations of Taylors live in Ardgillan Castle.

In almost every room upstairs in the castle, there is a doorknob beside the fireplaces. These doorknobs are connected to bells located in the servants quarters downstairs.

The purpose was to allow residents of the house to summon a servant without having to leave the room or call.

These bells connected by a series of wires and pulleys were an essential feature of an 18th Century house like Ardgillan.

Visit Ardgillan Castle to learn more.

Thank you to Aidan J. Herron and Eamon O’Daly, who kindly funded the restoration of this bell board from the proceeds of their book ‘Ardgillan Castle Revealed.’