castles historical ireland

A castle probably built by Sir Thomas Norreys who died in 1599. It is a long rectangular building with polygonal turrets (one incorporating a staircase) at the corners of the north wall. Wings project from the centre of the north and south walls, the northern one containing the entrance with a finely moulded doorway.

The windows are mullioned and have holes for muskets below them. The castle was besieged by Mountgarrett in 1642, but Jephson (who had married Sir Thomas Norrey's only da...

A fine four-storey castle which is said to be older than the date of 1585 given in a window-recess on the top floor.
It was built by Randal Hurley who married Catherine Cullinane. She may be the person whose initials are given as 'C.C.' in a window inscription on the top floor.

The carvings and decorations in these windows are the most unusual feature of this castle; one shows a woman with three roses, thought to be Catherine Cullinane and her three children, and the other has a...

Shortly after the Norman invasion, Ballintober became the chief seat of the O'Conors of Connacht, but the castle was probably not built till around 1300. The castle is nearly square in plan, with an open courtyard in the centre and a strong polygonal tower at each corner. In the east wall there are two projecting turrets which guarded the entrance.

The whole castle was surrounded by a water-filled moat. The castle was taken by another branch of the O'Conors in 1315, and was besieged...

Two sides of a four-storey castle which was square in shape with large rounded turrets at the four corners. The two lower storeys were vaulted. Although built in the style of the 13th century castles, it was probably not built till the 15th century. Cromwell is said to have fired on it from the opposite bank of the Boyne on his way from Drogheda to Athboy in 1649...

Ormond Castle is situated at a strategic point on the river Suir, commanding access to Clonmel to the west and the busy port of Waterford to the south east. An Elizabethan manor house built by Black Tom, 10th Earl of Ormonde. Next to a 15th century fortified dwelling. Ormond Castle is renowned for the quality of its stucco work, the best example of 16th century plaster work in Ireland.

It is also significant as Ireland's only major example of a completely unfortified dwelling dati...

A 17th century fortified house, rectangular in plan, with a square turret at one end. Little remains inside except for fireplaces. There is a machicolation over the door at roof level, from which things could be dropped on the heads of those entering the door....

In the midst of a beautiful 700 acre estate on the shores of Strangford Lough, seven miles east of Downpatrick, stands Castle Ward - an 18th century "architectrual wonder"....

Ballinderry Castle is 3km to the south east on the road to Barnaderg. It is believed to have been one of the last castles built in Ireland....

It had a vault over the second storey and a passage-way around the top. In an adjoining garden there are remains of a bawn wall with slits for arrows or guns at the corner. The original 'Black Castle' was built here by Hugh de Lacy in 1180. This was superseded by a Carmelite Friary founded in 1260-70. The present castle is said to have been built by Sir Edward Bellingham in 1547. The site was long held by the Kavanaghs and the Butlers, and was also occupied by Sir Peter Carew and the Bagena...

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....