Irish Castle: Medieval

Ireland's castle building history falls into several categories: Norman/Medieval, Elizabethan and Victorian era among them. The earliest, Norman fortifications survive in different states of repair - the medieval Irish castle at Carrickfergus is intact and serving as a tourist centre, while Dundrum Castle in County Down (founded by the legendary Norman adventurer John de Courcy following his invasion of Ulster in 1177) is one of Ulster's most evocative medieval ruins.

Dunsoghly Castle in Dublin was built around 1450 by Sir Rowland Plunkett, Chief Justice of the King's Bench. The medieval castle was continuously occupied until the 1870s by descendants of the same family - the building and families which lived there proved hardy and long-lasting.

Medieval castles in Ireland are not only reminders of a military and social order long vanished, but also exercises in restoration.

Elsewhere on the site, Irelandseye.com lists some Irish castles, medieval and otherwise, taken from the Appletree Press book Irish Castles.

Click here Irish Castles to buy the book from Amazon.com or here to buy the Appletree Press book from Amazon.co.uk. For more information of the Appletree Press title, click on: "Irish Castles".