From
the time of the Norman conquest until the end of English rule,
the Kings and Lords of Ireland built many magnificant
fortifications and homes. Many of these historic buildings
have survived for over 600 years nearly intact while sadly,
others have become ruins. All are still well worth a visit
whether to examine some of Europe's best examples of medieval
fortifications or take in the atmosphere of noble life in
Ireland centuries ago. By using our listing you will find out
all you want to know about the ancient Castles which have
formed such an important part of our history as a Nation.
Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath
(Ath Luain - the Ford of Luan) is situated on the principal
fording point of the middle Shannon. In 1129 King Turlough
O'Connor recognised it's strategic importance and built a
wooden castle here. In 1210 King John of England ordered the
building of a stone castle and bridge. The Castle was built by
John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich. The Castle is now a focal
point for tourism and visitors and it features exhibitions and
audio visual presentations. The Castle provides excellent
viewing points across the river Shannon. Discover the History
of the castle; enjoy an art exhibition in the Tea Rooms,
tourist information and gifts.
Blackrock Castle, Co. Cork
The original 'Castle' is indicated as having been a fort,
erected by Lord Deputy Mountjoy in 1604 .This building had a
beacon light from a turf fire to guide shipping. In 1722 the
old tower was destroyed by fire and a new one built by the
citizens. The second building was also destroyed by a fire in
1827, and was again rebuilt by the city fathers at a cost of
about 1,000 pounds. It has since passed into private ownership
and is now a restaurant.
Blarney Castle, Co. Cork
Blarney Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world.
On the parapet of a ruined tower lies one of the world's most
revered pieces of stone. The Blarney Stone is believed to be
half of The Stone of Scone upon which the Kings of Scotland
were crowned. It was given to Cormac MacCarthy by Robert the
Bruce in 1314. To kiss the Blarney Stone you have to lean
backwards out of the parapet.
Macroom Castle, Co. Cork
Macroom is dominated by castle walls and grounds with old
stone, arches and guns providing an elegant centre for the
town. When Macroom Castle was burnt (for the fourth time)
during the War of Independence Lady Ardilaun sold the remains
to the Irish people. The structure dominated the skyline of
Macroom until the 1960s when, in a dangerous condition, it had
to be demolished. Some parts of the castle are still to be
seen in the grounds of the castle demesne, which is a public
park, with beautiful riverway walks, situated in the heart of
the town.
Castlemore's
Castle, Co. Carlow
Built towards the end of the twelfth century by Raymond le
Gross. but only the ruins and the cemetery remains. Rathsillan
was known as Castletown or Fothered; but eventually became
known as Castlemore. The panoramic view makes it worthwhile
seeing. Nothing in the whole landscape betrays the historical
importance of the spot, except the old mote itself - and the
ancient graves of a country graveyard.
Leighlinbridge
(Black) Castle, Co. Carlow
In 1180 Hugh de Lacy built the first castle here to defend the
river crossing. This place has had an eventful history. Come
springtime, when the pink valerians are in bloom, covering the
weather-worn stonework of the old bridge with a blush of
flowers, you will pause and stop, and go back to look again.
All that remains is the left half of the 14th century tower
and part of the bawn.
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O'Brien's Tower, Co. Clare
O'Brien's Tower was built on the edge of the towering Cliffs
of Moher as an observation point in 1835 by Cornelius (Corney)
O'Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, the High King of Ireland
, and the O'Brien's of Bunratty Castle, Kings of Thomond. The
tower gives a panoramic view of the Clare coast line southward
to the mouth of the Shannon River and Kerry Mountains. West
and north are the Aran Islands, Galway City and the Twelve
Bens of Connemara. The tower has been restored and now serves as
a tourist information center and weather permitting, is open
from March until October 29th.
Drimangh Castle, Dublin
Drimnagh Castle, Longmile Road, Dublin 12 , is described as
Ireland's only fully restored medieval castle to possess a
fully flooded moat. It was built in 13th century by the Anglo
Norman family of Barnewall. It is now restored and has a great
hall with hand carved oak roof and balconies, a richly
coloured medieval floor, a murder hole, a formal 17th century
style garden. Well worth a visit - Opening times April 1st - October 31st
Wednesdays/Saturdays/ Sundays 12.00 noon to 5 pm
Dublin Castle, Dublin
This is where European Community leaders meet for official
head-of-state visits. Built by the Normans in the 13th
century, Dublin Castle has only two of its original towers and
a portion of the medieval wall still standing. They are now
the venue for Ireland's Presidencies of the European
Community, Presidential Inaugurations and State Functions.
Dublin Castle Tourist and Conference Facilities are under the
management of the Office of Public Works. The State
Apartments, Undercroft and Chapel Royal are open to visitors
(on occasion the State Apartments only may be closed for State
purposes). The Vaults Restaurant, Heritage Centre and Craft
Shop are also open to visitors.
Malahide
Castle, Dublin
Malahide is said to be the oldest castle continuously
inhabited by the same family. Until 1976, apart from a period
when they were evicted by Cromwell, there were Talbots in
residence at Malahide. Many additions and alterations have
been made to this romantic and beautiful structure, but the
contours of the surrounding parklands have changed little in
eight hundred years, retaining a sense of the past. The
grounds are also open to the public, and appeal to all
visitors, young and old.
Swords
Castle, Dublin
Swords Castle stands in the centre of the north county
Dublin town since 1200 A.D. It was built as a summer palace
for Archbishop Comyn. The Archbishop was also a Norman Baron
who had his own constable resident in the castle. The
constable was empowered to hold court and even to pass the
death sentence. For this purpose he had a gallows outside the
town on the Brackenstown Road. The castle has been a ruin
since 1324 A.D. and is currently being restored for the
purposes of a heritage centre.
Ross
Castle, Co. Kerry
Ross Castle was built in the 15th century on the shore of
Killarney's Lower lake by O'Donoghue Mór, who lost it after
the Desmond rebellion at the end of the sixteenth century.The
castle was used as a military barracks in the 18th and 19th
centuries. For a long time it fell into disrepair but recently
the building has been restored and now open to the public.
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Barberstown
Castle, Co. Kildare
Barberstown Castle was one of the first great Irish country
houses to open up its splendour to the outside world. The
Castle was built in the early 13th century by Nicholas Barby,
a heritage that embraces over 750 years of Irish history. It
is an ideal first or last stop on your country house tour of
Ireland. The castle now serves as a high class Hotel and
Restaurant.
Shankill
Castle, Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny
Set in beautiful parkland on the Carlow / Kilkenny border this
castellated house incorporates a building from 1713. The
interior preserves much of it's 18th century chacacter and
features a late Georgian staircase, Gothic plasterwork in the
dinning room and a charmingly Victorian drawing room. Visitors
are invited to walk in the grounds and gardens, and there are
guided tours of the house. Open - Easter weekend; Sundays and
Bank holiday Mondays in May; Sunday, Monday and Tuesday from
June to September, 14:00 to 17:30. Parties and coach tours are
welcome at other times by prior arrangement.
Dunamase,
Co. Loais
The Rock of Dunamase is one of the most prominent of the
historical sites. Once the fort of the O'Moore clan, it was
destroyed by Cromwell's troops in 1650. The ruins stand on a
hill overlooking Portlaoise, and if you climb the hill you can
explore them at your leisure. Lea Castle 3 km east of
Portarlington is a Norman castle, built in 1260 by William de
Vesey. Like Dunamase, it was destroyed by the Cromwellians
after the rebellion of the 1640s.
Enniscorthy
Castle, Co. Wexford
When the Normans built a castle they built it to last.
Enniscorthy Castle, in the centre of the town and overlooking
the Slaney River, proves the point. Nearly 800 years after its
construction, the huge castle is still in remarkable
condition. Though restored and modernised in recent times many
original features remain.
Rathmacknee
Castle, Co. Wexford
A castle probably erected in I451, The tower is five storeys
high, and has battlements which are typical of the I5 th and
16 th centuries in Ireland. The bawn wall is about 4 feet
thick and 24 feet high, with a round turret at the
north-eastern corner and a less prominent square one at the
north-western corner. It is almost complete, and gives a very
good idea of what the tower-houses and bawns of the 15 th and
16th centuries in Ireland looked like.
Tara, Co. Meath
Tara, the settlement of the Celtic High Kings. Before
Christianity, Tara was the political and religious center. It
was here, at the "Lia Fail", the stone of destiny,
the different tribes and clans elected their "Ard Rí".
The high king's power was mostly symbolic. Disruption has
always left its stamp on the Emerald Isle. Tara was a
settlement with fortifications, banquet halls, houses, sun
rooms (called "Grianan"), sacred grooves, mounds,
and of course the king's seat of honor. Mother Ireland is out
there, waiting for you, when you stand on the hill of Tara.
Newgrange is a stone grave from the neolithic era. It was
built 5500 years ago, predating the pyramids more than 1000
years.The facing is made of white quartzite and dark granite.
The 20 meter long passage inside the grave is narrow and low.
Once a year, at winter solstice, a sun beam finds its way
through the passage. The air is dry and fresh inside. People
have come to worship here for thousands of years. In ancient
days, the place was connected with the mysterious Tuatha Dé
Danann.
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