From 27th July to 7th September 2026 join Trollope enthusiasts from across the world every second Monday to discuss Castle Richmond as we read it together on Zoom.

Castle Richmond is set in southwestern Ireland during the early years of the Great Famine (1846–47). The novel follows two cousins of English descent, Herbert and Owen Fitzgerald, who both vie for the affections of Lady Clara Desmond, the noble yet impoverished daughter of the widowed Countess of Desmond. As the romantic rivalry unfolds, a complex legal and moral dilemma arises when a man named Matthew Mollett claims that Lady Fitzgerald’s previous marriage was invalid, threatening the legitimacy of her children and the inheritance of Castle Richmond. The story intertwines personal drama with broader social issues, including the devastating impact of the famine and the responses of various characters to the crisis.

Register free for the complete 2026 BIG READ

You only need to register once, you can then attend any of the 2026 BIG READ Zoom meetings without needing to register again. You can cancel your registration at any time.

27 July – Castle Richmond, Chapters 1 – 11
10 August – Castle Richmond, Chapters 12 – 22
24 August – Castle Richmond, Chapters 23 – 33
7 Sept – Castle Richmond, Chapters 34 – 44
21 Sept – The Kellys and The O’Kellys, Chapters 1 – 12
5 Oct – The Kellys and The O’Kellys, Chapters 13 – 24
19 Oct – The Kellys and The O’Kellys, Chapters 25 – 36
2 November – Ralph The Heir, Chapters 1 – 14
16 November – Ralph The Heir, Chapters 15 – 29
30 November – Ralph The Heir, Chapters 30 – 44
14 December – Ralph The Heir, Chapters 45 – 58
28 December – Christmas Day at Kirkby Cottage

Click here to register to attend Castle Richmond BIG READ Zoom meetings

We will send you an email with instructions on how to join and the password. Using Zoom is easy, just click on the link in the email and follow the instructions. Please note that you will not be able to join the meeting until 8.00pm (UK time) on the day.

Resources

• Plot summary and character listing for Castle Richmond
• Download Castle Richmond free of charge from Project Gutenberg
• Explore our Reading Guide for Castle Richmond