These were gradually introduced in Ireland throughout the 17th century. During the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland which started in , heavily fortified towns such as Waterford and Wexford were won with heavy assault guns. It became clear that medieval castles designed for siege warfare could no longer be defended against an army. You might just about be able to defend against an angry mob of peasants!
The conclusion was that you might as well live comfortably and show off your wealth. This idea formed the beginning of a new era. Some medieval castles were remodelled at this stage, for example Kilkenny Castle or Roscommon Castle below. Others had been destroyed during or after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland when a lot of castles were 'decommissioned', rendering them useless by destroying defensive staircases and battlements.
With the onset of the new era of castle building , a lot of surviving medieval Irish castles were now abandoned for new builds of comfortable and spacious country mansions built in different styles. The new building styles for big houses and revival castles varied and usually corresponded with whichever architectural style was fashionable in Britain at the time.
The photo above shows a great example of a castle and big house existing side by side. You can see Ballycurrin Castle on the left, covered in ivy and Ballycurrin House in County Mayo, Ireland, standing close together on the same site. If you enjoyed reading about Irish castles as much as we enjoyed ourselves putting this content together for you, please take some social action!
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Scroll down the page for plenty of links to all our pages on castles in Ireland! Take Our Castle Quiz! About Medieval Castles. Subscribe to our newsletter left column and get to take our free course on Irish castles! The Tower House Castle. The castle was first built in the s, and its fortified walls were expanded over the centuries when it served as the location for fierce battles. After a truce was agreed, the castle eventually became a hunting lodge before being purchased by the member of the Guinness family in The famous Irish beer family expanded the castle and built new wings, before selling the property in the s.
A mix of Victorian and medieval architecture, the beautiful ivy-covered Ashford Castle now has 83 guest rooms and has been featured in film and television.
Rent a bike to cycle from the town of Killarney to the picturesque Ross Castle. Surrounded by extensive trails and plenty of picnic spots, Ross Castle is a popular stop for a day out. It is possible to take a guided tour of some of the castle, but many visitors also enjoy the view of the stone tower house from the outside while taking a quick walk around the grounds. Located off Dame Street in the heart of the Irish capital, Dublin Castle has a long political history.
The castle served as the location of the United Kingdom government offices for hundreds of years until Ireland gained independence in and the castle was ceremoniously handed over to Michael Collins, the leader of the Irish Rebellion. There are still important government offices inside the complex, but the castle is also open to the public to visit the State Apartments, Medieval Undercroft, and Chapel Royal seven days a week. Dunguaire Castle in County Galway is a fortified tower house dating back to that is built on the edge of Galway Bay.
After passing through different families over the centuries, the castle was eventually purchased by Oliver St. John Gogarty, a doctor, writer and senator who often invited famous Irish authors like W. Yeats to stay. Today the castle has been restored and it is possible to visit the exhibits as well as to book tickets for the medieval banquets that are held inside the castle halls from April through September.
Cahir Castle is one of the largest castles in Ireland and almost seems to grow out of the rocky island it is built into in the River Suir.
Located close to the village of Cahir, the castle offers an audiovisual experience to teach visitors about the long history of the fortress. A minute train ride from Dublin transports you to Malahide Castle , a fully restored medieval castle that was home to generations of the same family for almost years. The castle is surrounded by a large park as well as a botanical garden which includes many rare and tropical plants.
It is possible to take a guided tour of Malahide Castle, and its Great Hall can even be rented out for special events. The military destroyed parts of the tower house but three stories of the original structure are still standing. The pretty location on the edge of a quiet beach filled with boulders makes it worth a short detour down a country road to the abandoned castle in County Kerry.
There is no visitors center, but it is possible to climb up the small hill and walk around the historic stone walls that overlook the Irish sea near the town of Dingle. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data.
Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. The impressive turrets of the 17 th century Watergate will welcome you as you step inside today to discover the local history with the Inniskillings Military Museum and the County Museum. Built on the slopes of Cavehill Country Park and enjoying views across the city of Belfast and Belfast Lough, a castle has stood on this site since the 12 th century, the current building a house with semi-circular round towers being finished in Today, Belfast Castle is a lavish venue for weddings and has 2 eateries but you can still walk in the grounds to admire the castle from the exterior.
This building might look like a picturesque castle from the outside, and indeed it was until it became a Benedictine monastery in the s. Complete with a Victorian walled garden, Kylemore Castle Abbey with its lake and woodlands is a truly picturesque place to learn the history of this baronial castle and the later abbey and all that abbey life entailed. Surrounded on three sides by Sheephaven Bay stand the proud ruins of Doe Castle with a 15th-century central keep that has survived siege and cannon fire.
Said to have sheltered survivors from the Spanish Armada, Doe Castle was later converted into a 19th-century country manor, similar in style to the Scottish tower houses. Where: County Donegal When: 16 th century Style: Scottish Baronial Open for visit: Yes, grounds are open from dawn until dusk with the tours of the keep available June-August from 11 am.
Closed Monday and Friday. Athenry is one of the most notable surviving medieval walled towns in Ireland and together with its tower house, is a national monument. Parts of the original enclosure wall of the castle survives along with the 13th-century battlements and the large rectangular hall-keep with base-batter.
This impressive castellated fortification with a circular tower, crenelated parapets, and Watergate was built in and stands on the site of 2 older castles, some parts of the wall of the latter of the 2 castles still visible today. A national monument of Ireland, Carlow Castle was once a military fortress that stood on the banks of the River Barrow. This beautiful fairytale-like castle is actually a castellated mansion that was built as a hunting lodge.
Where: County Donegal When: 19 th century Style: Scottish Baronial Open for visit: Castle tours are only available in May but you can visit the grounds and gardens all year. This stunning year-old castle is located on an island of the same name, next to the River Shannon. Today the castle allows you to step back into Medieval times with interactive displays that recount the times of siege and warfare. This restored Medieval tower house with a beautiful Victorian walled garden invites you inside to take part in a 3-hour Medieval Banquet with dancing, singing, and of course plenty of feasting.
Admire the period furniture as you get caught up in a Medieval make-believe world and stay the night surrounded by 15th-century splendor. Built by the Carew family to guard the ford across the river, Macroom Castle is now a shell with just the arched gateway, square tower, and some walls remaining but these are well-preserved rather than complete ruins.
Two 18 th century navy cannons that were found within the grounds now stand either side of the gate with picturesque river walks nearby. Where: County Cork When: 12 th — 15 th century Style: Gothic Open for visit: Exterior only as the interior contains new private buildings. Beautifully restored, visitors are able to explore the castle rooms whilst learning about life in Medieval times.
Originally an Elizabethan Castle built as part of a chain of castles to defend Dublin from attack, today Rathfarnham Castle is a fortified house that underwent extensive remodeling in the 18 th century. The castle is used for cultural events, exhibitions, and lectures with many rooms furnished with pieces from the 18 th century. Built as a manorial residence for the first Norman Archbishop of Dublin back in , Swords Castle is considered despite its name more of an episcopal palace than a castle.
The year-old sprawling complex includes the remains of Constables Tower, the Chapel, the Chamber Block, the Gatehouse, and more all enclosed by the meter long pentagonal curtain wall.
Famous for being the most haunted castle in the world, Leap Castle pronounced Lep has a long and bloody history with numerous people being kept prisoner and then executed at the castle. Table of Contents show. Blarney Castle. Bunratty Castle.
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