Desmond Castle (Kinsale) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desmond Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Caisleán Deasmhumhan | |
| Cork Street, Kinsale in Ireland | |
 |
|
 Desmond Castle
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°42′27″N 8°31′50″W / 51.7075°N 8.5306°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Office of Public Works |
| Open to the public |
yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1490–1510 |
| Built by | Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond |
| Materials | limestone, slate, red brick, wrought iron, timber, glass |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Kinsale (1601–02) |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond |
| Official name | Desmond Castle or The French Prison, Kinsale |
| Reference no. | 360 |
Desmond Castle (Irish: Caisleán Deasmhumhan) is an old stone building called a tower house. It stands in the town of Kinsale in County Cork, Ireland. A tower house is a strong, tall building that was used as a home and for defense a long time ago.
Contents
Discovering Desmond Castle's Past
How the Castle Was Built
Desmond Castle was built around the year 1500. It was constructed by Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond. He was a powerful leader in the area. The castle was first used as a Customs House for Kinsale. A Customs House is where taxes, called customs, were collected on goods coming into or leaving the port. King Henry VII of England had given the Earls of Desmond the right to collect these taxes in 1497.
It is thought that an even older building might have been on this spot before. This is because the very first Earl of Desmond was known as the "Captain of Desmond Castle."
From Customs to Prison Life
The castle served as a Customs House until 1641. After that, it was changed into a prison for the navy. This happened because a new Customs House was built. Most of the prisoners held here were from France and Spain. Because of this, local people started calling the building the "French Prison."
In January 1747, a sad event happened. A fire broke out in the castle, and 54 prisoners died.
Later Uses and Restoration
In 1791, a politician named James Kearney gave the castle to the town of Kinsale. It was then used as the town's gaol, which is another word for a jail, until 1846. During the terrible Irish Famine, it was even used as a workhouse. A workhouse was a place where very poor people could live and work in exchange for food and shelter.
In 1938, the Irish government took over the castle. Much later, it was carefully fixed up and opened to the public. Today, the Office of Public Works looks after it.
Exploring the Wine Museum
Ireland's Connection to Wine
In 1997, a special museum was added inside Desmond Castle. It is called the International Museum of Wine. This museum tells the story of how Ireland and the wine trade are connected. It shows how Irish people have been involved in making and selling wine for centuries. The museum is managed by a group called the Order of the Wine Geese.
