castles historical ireland

Mountjoy Castle is a ruined fort with four rectangular corner towers not far from Washing Bay. It was built in 1605 and was garrisoned during the Willianite wars....

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 This was superseded by a Carmelite Friary founded in 1260-70.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...

Shankill Castle is set in beautiful parkland on the Carlow/Kilkenny border this castellated house incorporates a building from 1713. The interior preserves much of its 18th century character and features a late Georgian staircase, Gothic plasterwork in the dining 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.

Parties and coach tours are welcome at other times by prior arrangeme...

Situated on an outcrop of rock ('The Fairy Rock'), this is a 16th century tower of 4 storeys below a vaulted roof. There are turrets on opposing corners at the top.

It was built by the MacCarthys of Drishane, and Teig MacCarthy retired here after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, but O'Sullivan Bere attacked and sacked the castle shortly afterwards.
There is also a stone circle two fields to the eat of the castle....

Dunamon Castle stands on raised ground overlooking the River Suck and is still inhabited. The site is referred to in the Annals of the Four Masters in 1154 as the seat of the O'Finaghtys, who owned all the land for miles around. The castle passed into the hands of the Burkes and in 1656 was bought by Robert King of Rickingham, one of Cromwell's henchmen, for £133.

In 1668 King's son, Lord Kingston, leased the castle to Thomas Caulfield and among the most colourful of the Caulfields was...

Domestic quarters were added on over the following centuries, giving us today a Most attractive architectural composition. Now lovingly restored in a superb parkland setting, its owners delight in sharing their private home with visitors....

Ballaghmore Castle (1480) was the chief seat of the Mac Gillpatricks (Fitzpatricks) Lords of the Upper Ossory. It's strategically placed on the Bealach Mor, the great road to Munster. Partially destroyed by Cromwellians in 1647 it came into possession of the Cootes who leased it to the Elys. Richard Ely, financed by a hoard of gold found on his land, partially restored it in the 1830s. Ely was murdered by a tenant, and the castle was neglected.

It was bought by the present owners...

The castle was built some time between 1238 and 1300 by de Staunton, one of the Anglo-Norman barons in the following of Richard de Burgo. The present remains consist of a three-storeyed tower standing in a strongly fortified bawn with one rounded corner turret. Much of the present building would appear to be of 15th century date, but it undoubtedly incorporates older fragments. The family who built it later took on the name of M'Evilly, and they held it until at least 1574.

. Some tim...

The Park and surrounding area are rich in historical features; early settlers found Lough Erne a convenient and safe transport route and the islands provided solitude and security; hence on many islands monastic sites were established such as at Devenish and White Island. Both are accessible by ferry (seasonal).

During the 1939-45 War, Lough Erne played an important role as the most westerly flying boat station, from which aircraft protected the allied convoys from the U-Boat threat i...

In 1181, John de Clahull built one of the earliest strongholds of the pale here. The present building is a 14th century Tower House. The place has had an eventful history. Beside the castle was a Carmelite priory, founded in 1270 and the bridge across the Barrow incorporates much work of 1320....