Irish Castles - Historic guide

Irish castle building was not limited to the 'classic' medieval notion. The most ubiquitous monuments of the Irish countryside are the tower houses that the minor gentry built for themselves from 1400 until 1640. The widespread use of artillery during the 1641 Rebellion made such fortresses redundant. Counties Cork and Tipperary have fine examples of the Renaissance-era Irish castle.

Each Irish castle has its own turbulent past, testimony to the history of Ireland. Ireland is an island of historic castles. Ancient, crumbling ruins, medieval tower houses and spruced up façades are located throughout the country. The earliest were built by the Anglo-Normans to consolidate their hold on conquered territories; many were large constructions, reflecting the enormous wealth and power that some of the barons had acquired. However, with the collapse of central authority in the fourteenth century and the resurgence of Gaelic chiefs, the size of castle diminished, while their numbers increased dramatically as every landed gentleman needed a stronghouse for his own security. Consequently, one of the most ubiquitous monuments of the Irish countryside are the tower houses that the minor gentry built for themselves from 1400 until 1640. The widespread use of artillery during the 1641 Rebellion made such fortresses redundant. Counties Cork and Tipperary still hold fine examples of the Renaissance-era castle.

Irish castle information is available her, in a guide which provides detail on every castle in Ireland that is both accessible and worth visiting.

Castles are listed alphabetically on an all-lreland county basis. Opening times and directions are given at the end of each entry, as well as map references.

Go to the historic Irish Castle guide at Irelandseye.com.

Irish castle information is available from Irelandseye.com.