Enniscorthy Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Enniscorthy Castle |
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| Native name Irish: Caisleán Inis Córthaidh |
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| Location | Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland |
| Built | 1199–1203 |
| Architect | Norman origin & design |
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Enniscorthy Castle is a historic building in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland. It was started in the late 1190s. The first Norman owners moved in around 1203. They built it on the spot where an older wooden castle once stood. A knight named Philip De Prendergast built this stone castle.
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History of Enniscorthy Castle
The first stone castle was built in the 1190s. It was built by a knight named Philip De Prendergast and his wife Maud. They were Anglo-Normans, people from England who had French roots. Philip and his family lived in the castle until the 1370s.
Changes in Ownership
In the 1370s, Art MacMurrough Kavanagh attacked Enniscorthy Castle. He wanted to get back land that belonged to his family. Art won the battle and took the castle from the last Norman owner. The MacMurrough Kavanagh family then owned the castle until 1536. They gave the castle and nearby lands to Lord Leonard Grey.
The castle was partly burned in 1569 by the Earl of Kildare. In 1581, Queen Elizabeth I gave the land to a poet named Edmund Spenser. However, he never lived there. Later, during a time when English settlers moved to Ireland, Sir Henry Wallop owned the castle. He made the castle much bigger and fixed it up.
Castle During Conflicts
The castle was taken by Cromwellian forces in 1649. These were soldiers loyal to Oliver Cromwell. Irish and Royalist forces took it back, but then lost it to the Cromwellians again.
During the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the castle was used as a prison. First, Irish rebels called the 'United Irishmen' used it. Then, the British used it after they took back Enniscorthy town.
Modern History of the Castle
In 1903, the Roche family made the castle their home. They rented it until 1951. After they left, the castle became the Wexford County Museum.
The castle closed in 2006 for big repairs and updates. It opened again in 2011. Today, Enniscorthy Castle teaches visitors about its history. It shows how the castle and the town of Enniscorthy grew from their early Norman beginnings. The castle also has exhibits about the Roche family, who were its last residents. There is also a small exhibit about Enniscorthy's old industries and businesses.
Features of Enniscorthy Castle
The castle is located at the start of the River Slaney. It sits right in the middle of Enniscorthy town. As a Norman Castle, it has four towers at its corners. It also has a tall, rectangular main building with four floors.
Castle Design and Restoration
The first castle foundation was built in the late 1100s or early 1200s. However, the castle you see today was updated in the late 1500s. Enniscorthy Castle looks similar to other castles nearby. These include the Norman Ferns Castle and Carlow Castle. By the early 1900s, the castle was falling apart. P.J. Roche restored it, making it bigger and rebuilding parts of it.
Wexford County Museum
For many years, Enniscorthy Castle was home to the Wexford County Museum. The castle closed for major renovations in 2006. During this time, the local government took care of the museum's collections. Enniscorthy Castle reopened in 2011.
Today, the museum shows how the castle and town developed from their early French-Norman roots. It also focuses on the castle as a family home. Some items from the older Wexford County Museum displays are still shown.
First Flight Across the Irish Sea
There is a special plaque inside the castle grounds. It tells about the first flight across the Irish Sea. This flight was made by Denys Corbett-Wilson.
