Irish Castles, County Louth
Irelandseye.com continues the tour of Ireland, moving down the east coast, with details of Irish castles. Now to County Louth:
Carlingford Castle
Looking down from a rock above the medieval walled town, this striking fortress stands guard over the harbour and the narrow pass between the town and the lofty mountains of the Cooley Peninsula. Historical references to the castle are sparse, but on architectural grounds it was most likely begun around 1200, probably by Hugh de Lacy. King John stayed here for three days in 1210, and later that century the eastern side of the castle was remodelled.The original fortification evidently consisted of a many-sided curtain wall enclosing a roughly oval area around the summit of the rock. This survives around the western portion of the castle’s courtyard, together with a flanking tower and the remains of a twin-towered gatehouse. Only portions of the northern gatehouse tower survive, but it is evident the gate towers flanked a surprisingly narrow entrance passage.
The well-preserved square tower is noteworthy for the way its plan changes to a half-octagon on the upper levels. The massive cross-wall of the castle was probably added in 1262 when records in a pipe roll show substantial payments being made for stone, timber and lead for building works at Carlingford. At this time, much of the eastern section of the castle was also remodelled to create three-storey apartments and a great hall. A four-storey range was added in the 15th century; this is now ruined but has some interesting fireplaces and arcading.
Carlingford appears to have remained in English hands during the post-medieval period. In 1596 Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, tried to take the castle in a surprise attack. It was captured by Sir Henry Tichborne (Royalist) in 1642, surrendered to Lord Inchiquin (Royalist) in 1649 and delivered up to Sir Charles Coote (Cromwellian) the following year. It is likely Coote dismantled the castle, for it plays no further role in Irish history, though the town was used as a hospital station during the Williamite wars.
Carlingford town. NGR: J 188120.
Castleroche
Still known by its simple Norman-French name of Roche, this impressive castle clings dramatically to the summit of a great rocky outcrop. Striking and powerful, it commands a pass northwards and affords wonderful views over the surrounding country. According to the Close Rolls of 1236, it was raised by Lady Rohesia de Vernon, whose grandfather came to Ireland with Prince John in 1185. There is a tale that she promised herself in marriage to the architect if he completed the job to her satisfaction, but when he came to claim her hand, she had him cast from one of the windows in the west end – still popularly known as the “Murder Window”.Most of the castle was built in the 1230s, though it may have been completed in the following decade. Its peculiar triangular layout, determined by the shape of the rock, comprises a large enceinte enclosure with a twin-towered gatehouse linked to the very considerable Great Hall. A causeway gives access to the entrance across a rock-cut ditch, in the centre of which was a gap with drawbridge protected by a barbican.
The large rectangular hall must have been an impressive building in its heyday. Its main chamber, lit on the south side by three large windows, was so enormous that the basement must have had timber subdividing to support the floor. The east gabled wall survives with some traces of the old roof line and indications of a third storey. A small rectangular building on the north side of the hall is a later addition, while the remains of a free-standing rectangular structure in the ward centre may also be a later feature.
7 km (4.5 miles) NW of Dundalk. NGR: H 996132.
Roodstown Castle
Tower houses became a widespread phenomenon in late medieval Ireland following the collapse of central authority and the resurgence of Gaelic lords. Roodstown is a well preserved, though roofless, example of such a residential tower, with all the typical features – a vaulted ground-floor cellar, a murder-hole inside the main entrance, a well defended parapet and wall-walk. The windows on the first and second floors have nicely carved 15th-century cusped ogee-headed lights, all with glazing bar holes. The two largest windows, both double lights and one with a transom bar, are in the first-floor hall, which also typically has the largest fireplace. As is usual in such buildings, the third floor – probably the private chamber – was unheated and had only small rectangular windows.4 km (2.5 miles) E of Ardee on the Stabannon Road. NGR: N 996925
from the Appletree Press title Irish Castles
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