Trim Castle, Trim, Co Meath

Trim Castle is on the shores of the Boyne has an area of 30,000 m². It is the remains of the largest Norman castle in Europe, and Ireland's largest castle. It was built primarily by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter.
Built in the 11th century


Taken with my canon 1000fn with free Fujifilm

Rock of Dunamaise

Majestically towering over the Laois countryside is the Rock of Dunamaise - the remains of a celtic fortification. This is one of Ireland's most famous landmarks and has a long and diverse history attached to it. Aoife, daughter of the King of Leinster received it as a part of her dowry on her marriage to Strongbow. The fort was also part of the O'Moore territory. It is a gathering point for the O'Lalor Clan Rally which takes place in October.

Kilbreedy Castle, Rathdowney, Co. Offaly

KILBREEDY CASTLE stands about 250 yards south-west of the church. It bears a striking resemblance to Grennan castle, near Thomastown. Except that it has lost the uppermost storey, it is in fair preservation. It is 56 ft. long externally, and 341½ ft. wide, and at present 35 ft. high. Within is a great barrel arch of stone, 22 ft. high at the apex, and extending the whole length of the building. One of the side-walls supporting this arch is 7 ft. thick, the other 8½ ft. The south end wall, containing the broken door-way, is more than 9 ft. thick. The main stairway, in the thickness of the south walls, leads from the entrance door to the upper part of the edifice. Two other stairways from the ground floor lead to long passages in the other walls, whence access is also had to the upper storeys. None of the stairs are spiral. Over the stone arch the walls narrow to 3½ ft. On the whole this is a curious castle, and is probably of earlier date than the castles usually met with. In 1657 it is described in the Down Survey Books as being " in some repaire."

The founders and proprietors of Kilbreedv castle were, according to tradition, the O'Phelans, whose tribe held sway over Magh Lacha for centuries previous to the Norman Invasion. This tradition receives confirmation from the State Papers, Donyll roo O'Phelan of Kilbride (Kilbreedy) horseman (i.e., gentleman, or son of a gentleman), received a "pardon," with many others of the gentry of Upper Ossory, June 30th, 1566; Dermod O'Phelan of Kilbride, husbandman, had a pardon Aug. 14th, 1586; and William roe O'Phelan of Kilbride, on the ioth June, 1591.
But the castle and townland had entirely passed from the O'Phelan family before the middle of the 17th century. At the time of the Cromwellian forfeitures in 1653, Morgan Cashin, Irish Papist, was found to have been seized of the following lands in the parish of Bordwell


Source

Carbury Castle, Carbury, Co. Kildare

Carbury Castle is located up on a hill behind the village. The motte near Carbury Castle was probably built by Milla Fitzhenry who was granted the area by Strongbow. The deBirminghams acquired the castle in the 14th century. In the 15th century it was taken by the native Irish and in 1562 it was granted to the Coley family. They were ancestors of the Dukes of Wellington. The Coleys built a large stronghouse in the 17th century

Accesable from the road but limited parking


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