Roscrea Castle
Dominating the heart of the town this 13th century state-of-the-art
royal castle is a polygonal fortification with curtain walls,
two D-shaped towers and a formidable gatetower which served
as the principal residence. The original fortification was a
wooden motte and bailey, built in 1213. Around 1281 the stone
castle was erected; it was later altered and the gatetower heightened.
It fell into disuse following the Williamite wars.
In 1315 it was granted to the Butlers who became Earls of Ormond
and remained in their possession until the early eighteenth
century. It later served as part of the nineteenth century military
barracks.
In the early 1990s, following work on Damer House and gardens,
Dúchas commenced restoration work on the Castle. To date
work has been completed on the curtain walls and the gatetower,
and work continues on the two corner towers. At the gatetower
the main drawbridge has been put back (albeit on a much smaller
scale), the ‘King’s Prison at Roscrea’ excavated
and the first floor has been re-instated with Irish oak.
Exhibitions display life in the castle down the centuries. The
great hall is used for occasional concerts and lectures organised
by RHS.
The main castle garden has been recreated in formal style and
features Irish roses and a fountain. It is planned that the
smaller garden will feature herbs and other medieval domestic
and medicinal plants.
The West Tower has become known as the Hamilton Tower and will
feature the life of Roscrea-native, Anthony Hamilton who wrote
the French classic, The Memoirs of the Count de Grammont, first
published in 1713.
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