askeaton castle and franciscan friary

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 hands often throughout Ireland’s troubled history it was finally rendered militarily useless in 1652. It is rumoured that a ‘Hell Fire Club’ was operated in the building next to the tower in the early 18th century, one of several that cropped up throughout Britain and Ireland copying the decadence of the original English group. Franciscan Friary: The friary was built around the year 1400 by the Desmond’s for the Conventual Franciscans, who later changed to Observatine Franciscans. The chuch features delicately carved windows and triple tomb niches.