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Known also as Blayney Castle after the plantation castle nearby (from which the town gets its name), Hope Castle has had many owners and uses over the years. Originally a three storey 5 bay Georgian block, the house received many embellishments during the Victorian era including scrolled cresting on the roof parapets and at one stage an ornamental cast iron and glass porch canopy. It was sold in 1853 by the twelfth and last Lord Blaney to the Hope family after whom the famous Hope Diamond is named and later became a convent for many years.

The building has suffered greatly during its lifetime - after being an convent, it remained empty for many years and was taken over the the local County Council who demolished the 19th century additions to the garden and main fronts and renovated the building. Its most interesting internal feature - a Soanesque toplit upper stair landing was destroyed during the building's phase of dereliction. The estate still has a good stableyard and cast-iron gateway with matching gatehouses.