nenagh castle and franciscan friary

The present massive tower, or donjon, was originally one of three towers interspersed in the curtain wall of a strong Norman castle which was also guarded by two semicircular towers and a gatehouse (parts of which remain to the south of the tower). The tower has 5 storeys, and the walls are up to 20 feet thick. A southern window-niche opening off the second floor has Romanesque decoration on the inside, while there is early Gothic decoration on a chimney piece in the floor above.

The castle was founded by Theobald Walter (nephew of Thomas a Becket) in the first twenty years of the 13th century. The Butlers resided here continuously till towards the end of the 14th century when they moved to Gowran, in Co. Kilkenny. during the 15th century it was in the hands of the MacIbrien family, but by 1533 Sir Piers Butler, Earl of Ossory, had returned to regain possession. However, in 1548 the Irish, under O'Carroll, burned it. By the latter half of the 16th century the Butlers had fully regained possession, but James I granted the castle to Lady Dibwall.