Irish Castles

Medieval Castle
 

Irish Castles

Irish Castles include some of the oldest and most famous castles in the World. Irish Castles have a chequered history which moves from their early construction as a Wooden Motte and Bailey castle by the Normans to the massive stone fortresses that can be seen in Ireland today.

The building of the great Stone Castles in Ireland started one hundred years after the Norman invasion of England.

 

 
Picture of a Medieval Castle
 
English Castle History
Medieval Castles 
Parts of a Castle  
Medieval Knights 
Motte & Bailey Castles 
Medieval Period 
Medieval Weapons 
Architecture 
The Tower of London 
Arthurian Legend 
English Castles 
Welsh Castles 
Irish Castles 
Scottish Castles 
Castles Sitemap 
Castles Index  
Picture Gallery

Irish Castles
By 1250 the Normans controlled three quarters of all Ireland and only western Ulster, Kerry, Clare and western Galway were the only predominantly Irish-ruled areas left.

These magnificent fortresses in Ireland took considerable time to build, requiring a significant labour force,  and they were expensive. The location of the stone castles in Ireland were therefore carefully chosen for the most advantageous political and military purposes.

Irish Castles

Many castles in Ireland survived siege warfare, a testament to their architecture and the way they were built. The conquering Normans such as the de Burgos dynasty (Burkes or Bourkes) built the famous Ashford Castle in Ireland and occupied Connacht whilst families such as the FitzGeralds occupied Kildare and Limerick.

The History of Irish Castles
The history of Irish castles is linked to several major factors:

  • The development of new technology and building methods
  • The development of Medieval warfare and new weapons
  • Social and cultural changes in Ireland
  • Defensive and Offensive requirements
  • Symbolic or political reasons for a castle location in Ireland

The Purpose & Function of Irish Castles
The original functions of Irish Castles were to:

  • To act as a power base in Ireland
  • To overawe and frighten the indigenous population
  • To provide a safe retreat for Irish noble families
  • As symbols of wealth and political power

Irish Castle Building
The design and building of Medieval Irish Castles encompassed some, or all, of the following elements:

  • Irish castles were built on the highest ground in the area
  • Irish castles often adjoined Rivers
  • Irish castles often overlooked Towns
  • A Strong central Keep or Main Tower featured in Irish Castle Building
  • A High wall, complete with towers surrounded the Keep and the Inner Bailey in Irish Castle Building
  • Several Outer Walls and Outer Baileys were often added in the process of Irish Castle Building
  • Gatehouses were often featured

Visit an Irish Castle
If you would like to visit a castle in Ireland please click the following link for details and locations - some of these are now wonderful hotels which enable us to experience life in an Irish castle. 

Castles in Ireland
Castle Hotels in Ireland
Famous Irish Castle HotelsFamous Irish Castle Hotels


Ashford Castle in Ireland
Dromoland Castle
Kilkea Castle
Abbeyglen Castle
Ballynahinch Castle
Barberstown Castle
Cabra Castle
Castle Durrow


Clontarf Castle
Glin Castle
Humewood Castle
Kinnitty Castle
Lismore Castle
Luttrelstown Castle
Markree Castle
Waterford Castle
 

Irish Castles

Irish Castles

  • Description of the Irish Castle
  • Information & Facts
  • History
  • Building
  • Irish Locations
  • The Purpose & Function of Irish Castles
Irish Castles - Famous - History - Facts - Information - Info - Ireland - Design - Layout - Plan - Planning - Irish - Architecture - Medieval Old - Medieval - Irish - Medieval Castles - Mediaeval - Middle Ages - Medevil - Medevial - Meadieval - Ireland - Madieval - Meideval - Medievall - Midieval - Midevil - Mideval - Casttle - Carstle - Cassel - Cassell - Carsel - Carsell - Carsel - Carstle - Carsall - Fortress - Fourteenth - Century - Thirteenth - Fifteenth - 12th - 13th - 14th - 15th - Ireland - Irish Castles - Famous - History - Facts - Information - Info - Ireland - Design - Layout - Plan - Planning - Architecture - Medieval Old - Medieval - Medieval Castles - Mediaeval - Middle Ages - Medevil - Medevial - Meadieval - Ireland - Madieval - Meideval - Medievall - Midieval - Midevil - Mideval - Casttle - Carstle - Cassel - Cassell - Carsel - Carsell - Carsel - Carstle - Carsall - Fortress - Fourteenth - Century - Thirteenth - Irish -  Fifteenth - 12th - 13th - 14th - 15th - Ireland
© March 2018 SiteSeen Ltd.Cookies Policy
Privacy StatementBy Linda Alchin