Dungarvan Castle facts for kids
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Caisleán Dhún Garbhán
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 Location in Ireland
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| Alternative name | King John's Norman Castle |
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| Location | Dungarvan, County Waterford |
| Region | Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°05′21″N 7°36′58″W / 52.089277°N 7.616229°W |
| Type | Norman Castle |
| History | |
| Founded | 1185 |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | Public |
| Public access | Yes |
| Reference no. | 569 |
Dungarvan Castle, also known as King John's Norman Castle, is an amazing old building in Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. It is considered a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country. This castle has stood for centuries, watching over the town and the Colligan River.
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What is Dungarvan Castle?
Dungarvan Castle is built in a special style called a "shell keep." Imagine a strong, round wall that forms the main part of the castle. This is the shell keep. It's surrounded by another strong outer wall, called a "curtain wall," which has towers at its corners and a gate tower for entry.
Inside the Castle Walls
The shell keep was built way back in the 12th century, making it the oldest part of the castle. While this type of castle was common in England, it was quite rare in Ireland. Inside the curtain walls, you'll find a two-story building that used to be a military barracks. This building was built in the early 1700s. Today, it has been carefully restored and is used as a museum. Here, you can explore exhibitions that tell the fascinating story of Dungarvan Castle.
The Castle's Foundations
Before this castle was built, there was an even older type of castle on the same spot. It was called a Motte-and-bailey castle. This kind of castle had a large mound of earth (the motte) with a tower on top, and a walled courtyard (the bailey) below. Dungarvan Castle stands on the site of this ancient structure.
A Look Back in Time: The Castle's History
Dungarvan Castle is known as an Anglo-Norman castle. It was first built in 1185 by Prince John, who later became King of England. He had it built right at the mouth of the Colligan River. This castle was one of several important castles built around that time in the southeast part of Ireland.
From Barracks to Police Station
Over the centuries, the castle saw many changes. During the Irish Civil War, the castle was used by soldiers. It was later damaged by fire when some soldiers left in August 1922. After Ireland became the Free State, the castle was repaired and became the local police station for the Garda Síochána (Ireland's police force). It served as a police station until 1987.
Restoration and Today
After 1987, the castle started to fall apart again. But thankfully, a group called Dúchas took over its care. They worked hard to restore the castle to its former glory. Today, Dungarvan Castle is a wonderful place to visit. You can take guided tours, see interesting exhibitions, and watch an audio-visual show that brings its history to life. It's a great way to learn about Ireland's past!
