castles historical ireland

A 13th century castle built by the De Barrys, possibly by David Oge de Barry. it is a large square in shape, with rounded turrets at each corner.
The entrance was through the south wall where there is a large oblong tower with a long passage which was closed by a heavy door and which possibly had a portcullis.

This tower was heavily modified in the 15th or 16th century. Opposite it, in the north wall, there is another square tower. Buildings were undoubtedly built agains the int...

The castle was probably built by Theobald Walter Butler some time early in the 13th century, and the Butlers still owned it in 1640. the castle is square in plan with rounded turrets at the corner, but only one storey of the original three or four remain. The tower on the north-east is only enterable by steps up from the outside. The interior of the castle was divided into two apartments by dividing wall. Access to the castle is by foot only, as it's located on private land.

In t...

The castle consists of a square central courtyard surrounded by walls which are eight feet thick and twenty feet high, with square towers projecting from three sides. On the fourth side is the gate with a pointed arch and a groove for the portcullis. The interior of the castle is bare, but originally there were two-storey structures built up against the inside walls. However, few traces of these remain, and local tradition explains this by saying that the castle was never finished. There is...

Castle Upton Estate comprises a unique double yard by Robert Adam which dates to 1793; Lady Kinahan's Art Gallery and Templetown Mausoleum. Part of the house dates from 1100. 3 acre garden grounds; including small lake with varied waterfowl....

Within the grounds of the Servite Monastery in Benburb are the remains of one of the more dramatically sited of all inland monuments in Northern Ireland. Its cliff-site controlling the crossing of the River Blackwater had been fortified by Shane O'Neill during the course of the 16th century, but what remains on the site is a castle built after the defeat of Gaelic opposition, when the new planters were staking their claim to the lands which James I had granted to them. By building this castle...

Known as the Castle of the Curlews, this castle was built around 1590 to protect the pass over the Curlew Hills. It was garrisoned by a Constable and ten wardens from 1610 to 1626 and, after a stout resistance, had to surrender in 1641 due to lack of water.

The plan of the castle is modelled on those of 13th century castles, with a small central square block dwarfed by four massive towers at the corners which are round outside and square inside....

The Harry Avery who gave his name to the castle was Henry Aimbreidh O'Neill, who died in 1392. The castle, commanding the valley of the River Derg close to Newtownstewart, was probably - though not certainly - built by him, and is unusual in being a stone castle located within what was Gaelic Ulster at the time. Even more curious are the two towers visible from afar which give the impression of being a gate-tower of an earlier century guarding the access to the castle ward behind them (like th...

A distinctive 16th century fortified tower house built originally for a branch of the O'Brien's before coming into the possession of the powerful local family of the O'Loghlens. The first three floors exhibit many defensive features such as narrow slit windows, gun loops and murder holes. The main floor presents a visual record of the castle restoration. The second floor is now called the Scriptorium. There are guided tours of the photographic exhibitions of the restoration.

Walking...

The old 17th Century O' Toole castle has been modernised and is privately owned.
A British garrison occupied the castle during the 1798 rebellion and there is a memorial to 36 rebels who were executed following the uprising. The Croghan Valley is a very scenic drive which dips into Wexford and runs below Croghan Mountain to Coolgreany while Holt's Way Drive runs through the village....

Thought to have been built in the 13th century, it was occupied by Sir James McDonnell and burnt by Shane O'Neill in 1565. Though rebuilt by Sorley Boy McDonnell it later fell into disuse....