Monkstown Castle

Originally built by the Cistercian monks of St. Mary’s abbey for protection purposes, Monkstown Castle dates to around the 15^th or 16^th century, and changed hands multiple times throughout its history.

After the dissolution of the monasteries, the castle was given to Sir John Travers, who was the Master of Ordnance. It was then in the possession of the Cheevers family, but during the Cromwellian period was granted to Edmund Ludlow, known for signing the death warrant of King Charles I in 1649.

When Charles II was restored to the throne, the castle was given back to the Cheevers, who sold it to Archbishop Boyle.

The castle is connected to a gatehouse by a bawn wall, which, according to folklore, was built by the monks because robbers kept stealing their cattle.

An account, recorded on dúchas, claims that Monkstown Castle is haunted by nuns, who ‘are to be seen looking over the walls between the hours of twelve and three o’clock at night.’[1]

They say that the stones of the castle are marked with the skulls of the monks and nuns who were killed during an attack.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014

[1] Dúchas.ie: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4428224/4387067/4457291