Castles, castles and more castles (and such)

We, like most other people who travel to Europe, always plan to explore a few castles. And Ireland had all shapes, sizes, and kinds of castles - in good and poor repair. We saw castles we did not plan to visit. We visited a few we had seen before. And we learned a good bit more about them (like castles often use a river or body of water as a part of their natural defenses).

Doesn't every kid want to climb the spiral staircase, wander through passages, and look down from the parapets?


Bunratty Castle, Bunratty, County Limerick

We stayed near Bunratty Castle as we started and ended our trip. It is well conserved/repaired/rebuilt. People can tour (although we did not). The Ratty River flows nearby.

I love to look up and see the flag of Ireland waving overhead.

Listowel Castle, County Kerry

We stopped for a break in a drive and  saw what remains of this immense place. On the reverse side much is missing, but there is a tour and a great deal of information about how to successfully capture the flag. The River Feale flows along the far side of the castle.

Leamaneh Castle, County Clare

We also stopped briefly at the ruins of Leameneh. It is more a manor house. I found (after a little research) it is a manor house attached to a tower house.

One can make out the square "tower house" on the right. This castle is on private property and may not be explored. I merely took this photo "through the fence" so it looks as if I could walk up to the place.

Portumna Castle, County Galway

Another manor house "castle." This castle is undergoing significant conservation. It feels as if one could "move in" to at least the ground floor. Portumna Castle is located on the shores of Lough Derg (Lake Derg) on the Shannon River.

Nenagh Castle, County Tipperary

What is called Nenagh Castle is actually one of the towers that protected the greater castle (now only a memory). It is pretty neat to climb the stairs and look out over the countryside. Unfortunately we were in Nenagh in the evening and no key was to be had. [This is another "through the fence" photo.] The Nenagh River flows not too far away. It is hard to know if it was part of the castle's natural defense.

Carigeen Castle, Cahir, County Tipperary

Carigeen is the most "castle-looking" non-castle we have seen. It is a former jail. We stayed here in 2007, but it is currently undergoing significant roof maintenance (and perhaps more).

Many of the rooms here are "cells" with vaulted ceilings - low vaulted ceilings. Mind your head.

We were not allowed on the tower roof on our last visit. We do love the "monkey puzzle" tree.

Thoor Ballylee, County Galway

Even W.B. Yeats was fascinated by castles. He purchased and renovated this Norman tower house for his family's summer home. The frequently flooding Streamstown River flows alongside.

Birr Castle, County Offaly

The gatehouse to Birr Castle. Birr is the only castle we visited that is occupied. The Earl of Rosse and his family reside here.

Birr Castle is a bit of a stunner. This photo is taken from the castle park/gardens

It would be lovely without the gardens, but is incredible when viewed from the perennial gardens along the river path. Yes, there is a moat on one side and the River Camcor on the other. In fact two rivers meet on the castle property - the Little Brosna is a slower flowing stream which connects with the the swift Camcor further along the river path down from the castle.

Cahir Castle, County Tipperary

I belatedly discovered I took no "full on" photo of Cahir Castle. It is built on an island in the Suir River. Those are ducks in the photo, but you may pretend they are the swans who do nest nearby.

Because of its location and construction, the castle has never been successfully "breached."

They did surrender to Cromwell's troops. [One doesn't say "Cromwell" without spitting]. Cromwell (and the war machine he left behind) was ruthless. People who did not surrender were slaughtered to the last man, woman and child. So, here they decided surrender was best.

Because of that, the castle is in beautiful condition.

One can humor the "inner child" and wander all over.

Towerhouses, Fethard, County Tipperary

Fethard enjoys the remains of two "tower houses." Here the Church of Ireland's tower is likely what is showing through this, the old north gate. But I simply love this little town and so let's pretend it is one of the "castle" towers.

 NOTES:

Most of our solo travel (after we left the music tour behind) was in the midlands of Ireland. In my pre-trip research I discovered an article that said there are remains of more than 3000 (yes, 3000) tower houses in the midlands. Some of those on the trip scoffed at that number, but I believe it. One see the ruins all along the roadways, railways and waterways. The Irish have long been a warring peoples and folks of a certain station with sufficient means built protective structures.

The "guts" of the places we explored can be found elsewhere. I just thought these deserved their own post (which will help my memory and planning in future).

A good discussion of castles/manor houses/tower houses -  http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/types.htm

Bunratty - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunratty_Castle

Listowel -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listowel_Castle

Leamaneh - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leamaneh_Castle

Portumna- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portumna_Castle

Nenagh - http://www.hiddentipperary.com/castles/nenagh-castle/

Carigeen - http://www.castlesinireland.com/castle-in-tipperary-carrigeen-castle-tipperary/

Thoor Ballylee - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thoor_Ballylee

Birr - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birr_Castle

Cahir - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahir_Castle

Fethard Tower Houses - http://irishwalledtownsnetwork.ie/page/fethard/fethard-info

Perhaps our favorite "castle" was the tree house castle on the grounds of Birr Castle. Somehow I think there is a tree house in our future.