castles historical ireland

Tullynally has been the seat of the Pakenhams, later Earls of Longford, for over 300 years. Set in beautiful parkland and woods adjoining Lough Derravaragh, it is now probably the largest castle in Ireland still lived in as the family home; a forest of towers and turrets nearly a quarter of a mile round....

The castle is said to have been built in 1181 by Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath, for his brother-in-law, Sir Gilbert de Nugent, who resided in it for some time before building the neighbouring castle of Clonyn. But the castle was probably built in the early 13th century.

It was originally square in plan with four rounded turrets at the corner but only the western half of the castle remains, with two of the rounded turrets. The lower portion is now used as a shop store; the upper portion...

There was formerly an establishment of the Knights Templars here beside this peaceful inlet, but the present 5 storey castle is 15th century in date and probably has nothing to do with the Knights. The ground floor is vaulted and has a number of deep recesses, and the second floor is also vaulted.

There are also a number of recesses on the third storey; that on the east wall was once a chapel. On the same floor is now inaccessible prisoners' cell. An amount of 17th century pottery wa...

King John's Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The visitor centre at the castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition which tells the story of the castle. Archaeological excavations have revealed Pre-Norman settlements and evidence from the traumatic siege of 1642.

The courtyard and castle display some of the trades and traditions of the 16th century with the aid of costumed characters. The castle offers pan...

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 town was founded by the Norse early in the 10th century, but by the end of the century of Irish under Brian Boru captured it. The O'Briens had already made it their own capital by 1100. In 1175 Raymond Le Gros took the town for a time, though he had to relinquish it shortly afterwards. But by 1200 the Normans were back again, and with few interruptions held it until the Confederate Catholics captured it in 1642. The Cromwellians took it in 1651.

In October 1691 the Williamites de...

This castle dates to at least 1230 when history first mentions it. It contains an interesting tower whose 11 feet thick walls are polygonal on the outside and round on the inside. About 30-40 feet of this tower remain. The remains of a curtain wall and its battlements and the bailey are also present. Nearby there is a ringfort, giving a sense of continuity throughout history to the area....

Located on the banks of the Erne, the Heritage Centre exhibits the collections of the County Museum in award winning displays enhanced by audio visual programmes spanning the history of Fermanagh, its wildlife and landscapes. There's a range of special exhibitions throughout the year.
The Castle Keep houses the Museum of the Royal Inniskilling Fusilers - displays span the history of the Castle and the development of Enniskillen town. The Curved Barracks includes displays on the country...

The family home of the Earls of Belmore, Castle Coole is one of the treasures of the National Trust. A magnificent neo-classical house designed by James Wyatt, has remarkably fine interiors and exquisite furniture and furnishing from before 1830. A lavish Regency Saloon with gilded mirrors and marvellous inlaid woodwork is rivalled by a lavish state bedroom, hung with crimson silk, said to have been prepared for George IV.

Impressive halls, staircase, a dining room of splendour an...

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...