adare churches and castle

Castle: This Norman castle may have been built on an earlier ringfort by the main bridge across the Maigue or it may be contemporary. The square tower is of the castle is surrounded by a rampart with battlements To the south a drawbridge crosses the fort’s ditch. Surrounding this ditch is a further wall. Two gates offered access through it, the obviously more strategic south one protected by two towers.

Franciscan Friary: Now surrounded by the Adare Manor golf course, this friary was built by the Earl of Kildare during 1464 –1466. The church’s transept, its side chapels, and the tower are all later additions. The Kilmallock gate, by which one would enter the friary, now stands by itself. As well as the church there is a refectory, infirmary and a dormitory.

Trinitarian monastery. The 14th century Trinitarian church is now the local Roman Catholic church and the tower, south wall and part of the domestic buildings are well preserved parts of the original and of 15th century renovations.