castles historical ireland

In the medieval church a 12th century Romanesque chancel arch has been partially re-erected. It is unique in that it is the only Romanesque chancel arch in Ireland which has figure sculpture. On the south side can be seen Adam and Eve, a man with drinking horn, two figures embracing, an acrobat and David with the head of Goliath, while on the north side there is Samson and the Lion, two bearded faces, an abbot with a crosier and other figures. Nearby is a granite cross.

Richard de Burgo granted a charter to Meiler de Bermingham in 1235 and shortly afterwards de Bermingham started building his castle at Athenry. It was probably completed by 1250 and consists of a three storey tower surrounded by the remains of a strong outer wall. Among the buildings was a Dominican friary, also built by Meiler, which is now in ruins.
The basement of the tower has a vault carried by three pillars. The door is on the first floor, though the steps leading to it are moder...

Although tradition says that it was the Ormonds who built it in the 14th century, the oldest part of the castle dates back to the 13th century. The oldest parts are the three round turrets and their joining curtain wall overlooking the river. These formed part of the outer fortifications of the original castle which surrounded a square enclosure in the centre. The tall square tower was built possibly in the 14th century, but has 15th century additions. The oriel window high up in its south w...

The Scottish baronial style castle, now a conference centre was formerly the house of the Annesley family and overlooks the large central lake. The lake is stocked with brown and rainbow trout which can be fished from April to October. A licence is required. The lake is also used for canoeing....

The legend of the family that are said to have built this castle is like something from a fairy-tale; the O’Hallinans were all killed by the O’Briens, except one boy who later avenged his family. The six-storey castle has two barrel vaulted rooms in good condition and interesting slits for archers on the top floor....

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...

Donegal Castle is located in Donegal town in County Donegal in the Northwest of Ireland. The Castle is situated in the centre of the town on a rock outcrop overlooking the River Eask. It was built by one of the O'Donnell chieftains in the 15th century.
Donegal Castle was the residence of the O'Donnell Family, who were originally loyal subjects of Queen Elizabeth I. This changed when the last of the family "Red" Hugh O'Donnell, with his friend, Hugh O'Neill rebelled and fought a bloody n...

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...

It is a ruin standing on a rocky promontory at the eastern end of the town. The castle was begun by Maurice Fitzgerald when he was granted the district in 1176, but his death a year later delayed its completion. In 1375 the castle was strengthened by William Fitzwilliam, whose descendants held the constableship for several generations. The castle was frequently attacked by the Irish and sometimes occupied by them. Early in the sixteenth century it was held by the O'Brynes, but they...

Dunguaire Castle has, for hundreds of years, stood proudly on the site of the 7th century stronghold of Guaire, the King of Connaught, its majesty dominating the shore of Galway Bay. The castle was built in 1520 by the O’Hynes clan and it gets its name from the ancient fort of Guaire. This restored 16th century tower house sits on a rocky outcrop on the shores of Galway Bay, 300 yards outside the picturesque village of Kinvara.
The Castle bridges 13 centuries of Irish history, from the...