Anglo-Norman Trail
Delve into Ireland's Anglo-Norman history through the Castles and Strongholds they built
6Lá
Delve into Ireland's Anglo-Norman history through the Castles and Strongholds they built
6Lá
Rock of Dunamase
In 1170 when Aoife, daughter of the king of Leinster, Diarmuid Mac Murrough, married Strongbow, Dunamase was part of Aoife’s Dowry. It was part of their daughter Isabel’s dowry when she married the Earl of Pembroke, William Marshall.
The Rock of Dunamase became one of the most important Anglo-Norman fortifications in Ireland.
Maynooth Castle
Maurice Fitzgerald built Maynooth Castle in the 1180s on land that had been granted to him by Strongbow. The castle became the main residence of the Kildare Gerladines by the 14th century.
The tower was built in three phases, and is one of the largest of its kind. It was abandoned by the Fitzgerald’s circa 1656.
Ferns Castle
Ferns was once the political base for the king of Leinster, Diarmaid Mac Murrough, before it came into the hands of William Marshall.
Marshall built Ferns Castle in the early 1200s.
It now houses the Ferns Tapestry, which details the history of Ferns.
Kilkenny Castle
In 1172, upon taking possession of the land, Strongbow had a motte built in Kilkenny town. William Marshall had Kilkenny Castle built on the same site circa 1204. It was the first stone castle to exist within the town, and increased Kilkenny’s importance.
In 1391 the castle was bought by James Butler, the 3rd Earl of Ormond, and its history is still very much associated with the Butler family today.
Carlingford Castle
Built circa 1190 by Norman Baron, Hugh de Lacy, Carlingford Castle was a strategic build, with its overlooking views of Carlingford Lough.
King of John of England felt particularly threatened by the rising power of de Lacy, and seized their property in 1210. He is said to have stayed in Carlingford Castle afterwards, and is still referred to as King John’s Castle.
Trim Castle
In 1172 King Henry II granted Meath to Norman Baron, Hugh de Lacy. In the same year de Lacy had a motte with a timber tower built.
Two years after King John’s visit in 1210, the timber tower was dismantled and the current three-storey castle was built, and completed by William Peppard in 1220.
Richard II visited Trim in 1399 and had Prince Hal (later to become King Henry V) held prisoner in the castle.
Dublin Castle
The building of Dublin Castle began circa 1204 when King John ordered the Justiciar of Dublin to build a stronghold for the defence of Dublin City. It was built on the site of an earlier earthwork castle.
It originally protected the Royal treasure, but later became the centre of English administrative rule within Ireland until 1922.
Reginald’s Tower
Likely built in the early thirteenth century, Reginald’s Tower exists on the site of a wooden Viking fort.
Built by the Anglo-Normans, the tower became the strongest point of the medieval defensive walls in Waterford.
Though the current structure started as a stronghold, it was also once used as a prison.
Athenry Castle
Built in the mid-thirteenth century by Anglo-Irish Lord, Meiler de Bermingham, Athenry Castle was erected on land that was granted by Richard de Burgo.
By the early fourteenth century, walls were built around the town of Athenry.
Roscommon Castle
Roscommon Castle was built circa 1269 by Robert de Ufford, Lord Justice of Ireland, after the O’Conor’s (Ó’Conchobairs) fell under Anglo-Norman rule. Connaught was one of the last kingdoms in Ireland to surrender. The fact that the castle was built right next to the ancestral home of the O’Conor’s was a deliberate act.
However, the O’Conor’s regained possession of the castle by 1340, and held onto it for almost 200 years.
Listowel Castle
Once the residence of the Fitzmaurice Clan, Lords of Kerry, the building once extended to the river’s edge, but this no longer exists. The current structure likely dates to the 15th century, and although only half of the building survives today, it is still one of Kerry’s best examples of Anglo-Norman architecture.
During the first Desmond Rebellion in 1569, the garrison held out for 28 days before finally succumbing to Sir Charles Wilmot (Governor of Connaught).
Wilmot executed any soldier left within the castle.
Barryscourt Castle
Built between 1392 and 1420, Barryscourt Castle became the seat of power for the Lords of Barrymore for six generations.
During the second Desmond Rebellion in 1581 the Barrys supported the Fitzgeralds. To prevent Barryscourt Castle from being captured by Sir Walter Raleigh, the Barrys partially destroyed parts of the castle.
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