King John's Castle (Carlingford) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King John's Castle |
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| Native name Irish: Caisleán Chairlinn |
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| Carlingford Castle | |
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| Type | enclosure castle |
| Location | Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland |
| Area | Cooley Peninsula |
| Built | late 12th century |
| Owner | State |
| Official name: Carlingford Castle | |
| Reference no. | 249 |
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King John's Castle, also known as Carlingford Castle, is an old stone castle. It is a National Monument located in Carlingford, County Louth, Ireland. This type of castle is called an enclosure castle. It means it has strong walls that enclose a courtyard.
Contents
Where is King John's Castle?
King John's Castle is found right in the harbour of Carlingford town. It sits along the southern coast of Carlingford Lough. This is a beautiful body of water.
The Castle's Story
How the Castle Was Built
The western part of Carlingford Castle was built in the late 1100s. It was built by Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath. This happened shortly after the Normans came to Ireland.
Why is it Called King John's Castle?
The castle got its name "King John's Castle" because of King John. He was the Lord of Ireland. People say he stayed there for three days in 1210. This was during his second trip to Ireland. He came to Ulster to find Hugh de Lacy, 1st Earl of Ulster.
There's a local story that says King John started writing the Magna Carta at Carlingford. The Magna Carta was an important document agreed upon in 1215. However, other records suggest Ralph Pepper built parts of the castle in 1204.
Later Additions and Battles
The eastern part of the castle was added around 1261. Over the years, many people were in charge of the castle. For example, Geoffrey le Blound took care of it in 1326.
The castle saw many fights. In 1596, Henry MacShane O'Neill tried to capture it. During the Irish Confederate Wars, the castle was held by the Irish Catholic Confederation. Then, different groups took control of it. Sir Henry Tichborne, 3rd Baronet took it in 1642. Later, Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin took it in 1649. Finally, Charles Coote, 1st Earl of Mountrath took it in 1650.
During the Williamite War, Jacobites fired cannons at the castle in 1689. Before the Battle of the Boyne, Frederick Schomberg, 1st Duke of Schomberg used it as a hospital for his soldiers.
What the Castle Looks Like
King John's Castle has a D-shape. Its walls are very thick, about 3.4 meters (11 feet) wide. The main wall, called a curtain wall, in the west part had a gatehouse. It also had a square tower next to it. The curtain wall has deep openings called embrasures. These openings have narrow arrowslits, which were used for shooting arrows.
In the east part of the castle, there is a large rectangular hall. This hall had two main floors built over a basement area.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo del Rey Juan (Carlingford) para niños
