castles historical ireland

Athlone Castle was built in 1210 by John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich, for King John of England. From 1569-1672 it was the headquarters of the Presidents of Connacht. The Castle was occupied by Col. Richard Grace, Governor of Athlone during the first Siege of Athlone in 1690 and also played a major role in the second Siege of 1691.

In the Napoleonic era the Castle was remodelled for defence and took on much of its present appearance. The Castle served for almost 300 years as an...

A 17th century fortified manor house which has recently been restored using Irish oak and traditional craftsmenship. The courtyard contains the foundations and features of an earlier defensive structure....

This Castle was built on a sanctuary of the Celtic Goddess of love and poetry, Matres. The square castle was built by the 7th Earl of Desmond in the mid 15th century. It has entered the history books several times. It was the place were Edmund Spenser and Walter Raleigh first met and is said to have inspired ‘The Faerie Queene’.

It was owned by the family of Robet Southwell, the metaphysical poet and is linked to the journey of the two Wesleyite converts who founded the first Methodist c...

Nenagh Castle
Nenagh Castle was built by Theobold Walter, a nephew of Thomas a Becket, the martyr. It became a residence of the Butler family, until they moved to Gowran, Kilkenny in the 14th century. It fell into the hands of the MacIlbrien family, until 1533 when Sir Piers Butler returned to reclaim it. But in 1548, the O'Carroll with his supporters, burned it. The Butlers did eventually regain their position as owners, but the castle was given to Lady Dingwall.

It w...

The well preserved tower and bawn in the town is the Butler Castle. In the 16th century the castle was the principal seat of this vibrant Norman-Irish family of far ranging and far reaching connections. The 3rd Viscount was President of the Supreme Council of the Confederation of Kilkenny. The castle remained in Butler possession until 1788 when it passed to the MacMurrough Kavanaghs of Borris Castle.

During the rebellion of 1798 it was utilised as a British army base. The Archbisho...

Mrs. Bridget Aylee Owner of Ayesla Castle will welcome you personally and give you a guided tour of the castle and grounds....

Castle Upton Estate comprises a unique double yard by Robert Adam which dates to 1793; Lady Kinahan's Art Gallery and Templetown Mausoleum. Part of the house dates from 1100. 3 acre garden grounds; including small lake with varied waterfowl....

A few miles north of Enniscrone is the ruined stronghold of the MacFirbis clan, renowned Gaelic poets and annalists.

It was a member of this leaned family who compiled the 'Book of Lecan' (AD 1416) now in the library of the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin....

The castle consists of a long main block with a square tower at each corner. The door is of good workmanship, and the interior, which is now empty was lighted by a myriad of two-and three-mullioned windows. In the interior walls there are a number of fireplaces which are no longer in a good state of preservation. Parts of the bawn, with a corner turret, can still be seen nearby.

The castle originally had 26 gables and 7 tall chimney stacks. A stone once over the doorway and now bui...

Just a few kms south of Drogheda lies Gormanstown Castle. Built in 1768 by Sir Jelico Preston on the site of the original Castle dating from 1372, the castle has a fine quadrangular castellated edifice and a turret adorns each of the castle's corners except for the north-west corner.
In legends it was said that when the head of the Gormanston family was on his dead bed, all the foxes of Meath would to the come and sit by the front door of the castle as a vigil until his lordship had passe...