Cullahill Castle facts for kids
Cullahill Castle is an old stone castle in County Laois, Ireland. It was built a long, long time ago, around the year 1425. This castle was the main home and fort for a powerful family called the MacGillapatricks. They were important leaders in a region known as Upper Ossory.
The castle gets its name from a huge, old forest. This forest used to cover Cullahill Mountain and stretch all the way down to the nearby village of Cullahill. The castle was mostly destroyed around 1650, but its ruins still stand today.
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Where is Cullahill Castle?
Cullahill Castle is found in the small village of Cullahill. This village is in County Laois, which is in Ireland.
The castle stands about 100 metres up a nearby hill. This hill is actually what gives the whole area its name!
The Story of Cullahill Castle
When Was It Built?
Cullahill Castle was built around the year 1425. It is believed that a person named Finghin MacGillapatrick probably built it. He was likely a leader of the MacGillapatrick family at that time.
Early Attacks
Records show that the castle was attacked several times. The "sovereign and citizens of Kilkenny" reportedly attacked it. They were encouraged by King Henry VI. These attacks happened in 1441 and again in 1517.
Cromwell's Attack
Around the year 1650, the castle faced a big attack. Forces led by Oliver Cromwell attacked Cullahill Castle. They probably used cannons from a nearby hill. This attack caused a lot of damage to the castle.
By 1657, the castle was recorded as "ruinous and uninhabited." This means it was in ruins and no one lived there anymore.
What Does the Castle Look Like?
Cullahill Castle is a tall building called a tower-house. It has five floors, one on top of the other.
Most of the northern part of the castle is missing. This includes the main doorway. The castle has arched ceilings above the ground floor. It also has secret passages and rooms built into its thick walls.
A straight staircase built into the wall leads to the upper floors. You can still see parts of the old windows on the higher levels. These windows had stone bars, called mullions, dividing them.
The Chapel Ruins
Across the road from the castle are the ruins of a chapel. This chapel was once the private church for the Catholic lords of Upper Ossory.
