Castles have been an integral part of Ireland’s history and heritage dating as far back as the 14th century when they were built by the Anglo Normans mainly for military defense and to maintain supremacy over the land. Due to significant influences from the French and the English and the ever-changing needs called for by the passing of time, the castles have since then developed and evolved. Some have been fortunately been restored to their former glories while there are those that lay in ruins but in whatever state these castles may be, each one has an enchanting story to tell.
The Blarney Castle located in the village of Blarney, south of Ireland is perhaps one of the most popular castles around the world with the mythical “Blarney Stone” found in the tower. Its most famous occupant was Cormac McCarthy, King of Munster. According to the stories, McCarthy aided Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn by sending thousands of his own men and in gratitude, the latter presented the King of Munster with half of the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Eloquence. It now sits in the wall below the battlements.
Elegance and classic Irish charm define Waterford Castle in South East Ireland. Opened in 1987 to the public as a 5-star hotel and top-rate golf club, visitors to the castle can relive the kind of gracious living that its former occupants, including the Fitzgerald family must have once enjoyed – from the entrance where one is immediately greeted by the splendor of the original Elizabethan oak panelings, graceful arches, to the beautiful antique furniture and the sitting rooms with their different period themes.
Castle Coole in Belfast-Enniskillen Road has been identified as one of the treasures of the Ireland National Trust. Once the home of the Earls of Belmore, it is situated in a park that compliments the neo-classical regal estate designed by James Wyatt.
Home of the County Wexford Historical and Folk Museum is the Enniscorthy Castle in Wexford. Discover interesting historical artifacts and marvel at the perfectly preserved condition of the square-towered castle originally built by the Normans. During the 1798 uprising it was allegedly used as a prison, and was later on restored to become a place for residence including the famous poet Edmund Spenser.
A visit to the Leap Castle in Tipperary is not for the faint of heart, as it is widely believed to be one of the most haunted castles in Ireland. The Leap Castle has been passed on from one family to another – from the O’ Bannon clan to the lords of Ely O’Carroll to the Darby family followed by the Mayor Galway Richard Martyn. It then became a meeting place for famous writers such as George Bernard Shaw, W.B. Yeats, J.M Synge and Edward Martin.
Touted as “the king of Irish castles” the Trim Castle in Meath impressively stands as one of the largest and most significant Norman military forts in Ireland. Its curtain walls stretch to enclose over three acres of land with an immense and unusually designed keep and many internal passageways connecting the chambers and the floors. On the outside it gives off an impression of might and power which was perhaps the purpose of the de Lacy family when they first built it in 1172. Now a National Monument, the Trim Castle is undergoing conservation but visitors can still walk around the walls.