castles historical ireland

Ferns Castle and Churches
Ferns Castle is a 13th century castle built by William de Valance built on the site of a much earlier castle. The 13th century castle was dismantled by Sir Charles Coote in 1641.The original castle was owned by King Dermot McMurrough. McMurrough's castle was destroyed by the O'Rourkes and the O'Connors.

In revenge, McMurrough gained the support of the Normans, led by Strongbow, who conquered them. Close to the Castle are the remains of an Augustini...

Further along the main road is Kilmurray, otherwise Mountcashel, Castle built in 1466 by Conor na Srona, King of Thomond....

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...

Clogh Oughter is unusual in being a round 13th century castle, built on an island in Lough Oughter. It was probably begun by William Gorm de Lacy around 1220, and to this period may be ascribed the masonry of the two lower floors.

It was presumably built up to its full height during the following two centuries when it served as a stronghold of the O'Reilly clan, either in their own dynastic struggles or as a defence against their traditional foes, the O'Rourkes of Breifne, until taken f...

Kilkenny Castle is a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.
Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room and bedrooms decorated in 1830's splendour, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery.
The old castle kitchen operates as a tea room during the summer. A suite of former servant's rooms is the Butler Art Gallery,...

Askeaton Castle: The Castle was founded around the turn of the 13th century, on an island in the River Deel. Part of the 15th century tower on the site remains, itself a replacement of an older tower. Similarly the mid-15th century banqueting hall just inside of the outer wall on the island was built on the foundations of an earlier hall. This hall has finely carved windows and is one of the finest remaining medieval secular buildings, although there was once a chapel attached. After changing...

A well preserved 15th century castle with it's timber floors and a number of its original features intact.

Access is only availble by appointment only. Please ring the number above for more information ans to avail of the key....

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...

Originally used as a fort in Early Christian times, this is one of the most superbly and strategically sited castles in the country; it is unfortunate that its state of preservation does not match its siting. On the arrival of the Normans, the site was in the hands of Dermot McMurrough Kavanagh.

Through his marriage with Eva, it fell into the hands of his father-in-law Strongbow, and then through his daughter Isabella to William Marshall. The castle is first mentioned in 1215 when...

At the pier there are the remains of a MacMahon castle, captured in 1599 by the Earl of Thomond and given to his brother, Donal O'Brien, ancestor of the viscounts Clare of Clare's Dragons fame. (The Dragoons were part of the late 17th and 18th century Irish Brigade - composed of Irish exiles - in the French Army). When the property was confiscated after the Williamite wars, Carraigaholt Castle and part of the estate passed to the Burton family....