Carlow Castle is one of the earliest stone castles built in Ireland and replaced an earlier wooden Motte and Bailey built by Hugh de Lacy in 1181. The stone castle was built by William de Marshall (Earl of Pembroke and Lord of Leinster between 1207 and 1213) in the early part of the 13th century. The design was very much influenced by the ‘four-towered’ keep style prevalent in many French Castles. Sadly all that remains of the castle is its Western wall flanked by two towers. The castle overlooked the Barrow River and was an important strategic defence , it came to prominence when in 1361 when Lionel, son of King Edward III moved the exchequer from Dublin to Carlow and spent £500 fortifying the garrison town. The Castle stayed in the ownership of the Earls of Norfolk from 1306 to 1537 and was attacked on many occasions. In 1382 it was attacked during a raid on the town by the MacMurroughs and O’Carrolls, the residents of Carlow petitioned Kind Richard for funds to rebuild the town, however their plea was ignored and the exchequer was moved back to Dublin.
The town and castle was attacked many more times by Irish Clans, the Kavanaghs, O’Tooles, O’Byrnes, O’Lalors and O’Moores, to name just a few, all besieged the castle over this period. In 1494 the castle was seized by James Fitzgerald of Kildare. Over the next 150 years the castle was attacked by Silken Thomas (1524), Rory Oge O’Moore in (1577), Sir Morgan Kavanagh (1641) Thomas Preston (1646) and Oliver Cromwell in 1650.
The town and castle was granted to Donogh O’Brien (Earl of Thomond) in 1616, the castle then changed hands many times over the next 50 years. In 1642 the Duke of Ormond’s army attacked the castle to rescue 500 Englishmen who were imprisoned within its walls. In 1650 when Cromwell attacked the castle it was badly damaged however it remained in a reasonable state until 1814 when a Dr. Middleton endeavoured to convert it to a lunatic asylum. During his attempt he undermined the foundations of the Castle by using explosives in an foolish attempt to demolish the interior, however he destroyed all but what remains visible to this day!
GPS: 52.83625, -6.93578
Well that’s a pretty dramatic history for one castle! Seems fitting though somehow for it to be blown up, rather than to fall into a sad decline. Still you can see what a formidable building it once was.
Indeed there is some sort of poetic justice to it being blown up!
i passed through Carlow Town some time ago. Even though, it was not planned, I stopped to see the castle but i had no idea it has such an amazing past.
Hi Kasia,
Carlow is a great county to explore, I must say the local tourism board have done a really great job with signposting, renovations etc. Thank you for your comment.
Hi Ed,
I know! I have posted about a couple of places in Carlow and it is still not everything that i have visited there
http://mikasia.wordpress.com/tag/carlow/
Carlow is amazing but not appreciated from the tourist point of view. And there are so many stunning parks and gardens!
I also must agree with you that local tourism board is very professional and they have prepared so many useful brouchers and info on the county (both soft and hard copies)
Indeed Kasia its a really beautiful county. It awful when counties dont signpost their sites or pay little attention to them, have found that to be a common thread in the north of the country. I see you have been to the beautiful Brownshill Dolmen and Ducketts Grove, did you notice the amazing gatehouse about 600m down the road from the main house? Its featured on this site, its fun cause you can get inside it!
I have missed it and will have to go back!
I have not explored the north really yet even though I try to see as much as possible.
http://mikasia.wordpress.com/interaktywna-mapa/
I would love to drive along The Wild Atlantic Way that is being launched this March. Sounds amazing – 2,500km of an amazing drive with 156 places of intrest. I am hoping that one day I will manage to do that! 🙂
I am happy to fond your blog, so many places on my TO SEE list.
Have a good night.
Wow, I had not heard of the Wild Atlantic Way before, just looking into it now, I’m definitely doing that this summer 🙂
You are lucky thing! I’m jealous LOL
I will be looking forward to your strories and photos from that adventure!
Aw thanks Kasia. So much to see in this lil country.