castles historical limerick city

The legend of the family that are said to have built this castle is like something from a fairy-tale; the O’Hallinans were all killed by the O’Briens, except one boy who later avenged his family. The six-storey castle has two barrel vaulted rooms in good condition and interesting slits for archers on the top floor....

The town was founded by the Norse early in the 10th century, but by the end of the century of Irish under Brian Boru captured it. The O'Briens had already made it their own capital by 1100. In 1175 Raymond Le Gros took the town for a time, though he had to relinquish it shortly afterwards. But by 1200 the Normans were back again, and with few interruptions held it until the Confederate Catholics captured it in 1642. The Cromwellians took it in 1651.

In October 1691 the Williamites de...

This castle dates to at least 1230 when history first mentions it. It contains an interesting tower whose 11 feet thick walls are polygonal on the outside and round on the inside. About 30-40 feet of this tower remain. The remains of a curtain wall and its battlements and the bailey are also present. Nearby there is a ringfort, giving a sense of continuity throughout history to the area....

King John's Castle was built between 1200 and 1210 and was repaired and extended many times in the following centuries. The visitor centre at the castle contains an imaginative historical exhibition which tells the story of the castle. Archaeological excavations have revealed Pre-Norman settlements and evidence from the traumatic siege of 1642.

The courtyard and castle display some of the trades and traditions of the 16th century with the aid of costumed characters. The castle offers pan...