Loughmoe Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Loughmoe Castle |
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Loughmoe Castle, 2008
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| Location | Loughmore, County Tipperary, Ireland |
| Built | 1200s |
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Loughmoe Castle is an old, ruined castle located in Loughmore Village, near Templemore in County Tipperary, Ireland. It's also sometimes called Loughmore Castle. This castle was once the main home for the Purcell family, who were important leaders known as the Barons of Loughmoe.
Where is Loughmoe Castle?
Loughmoe Castle is found just outside the small village of Loughmore. This village is about 11.5 kilometers from Thurles and 6 kilometers from Templemore. The castle sits on flat land between the River Suir and the main train line that connects Cork to Dublin. If you travel by train, you can easily spot the castle from your window!
The Story of Loughmoe Castle
The oldest part of Loughmoe Castle was built a very long time ago, in the 1200s. This part is a tall, four-story tower-house. The Purcell family later added more sections to the castle in the 1600s. They lived in Loughmoe Castle until around 1760.
The land for the castle was given to Sir Hugh Purcell in 1204. It was part of a special gift called a dowry from the father of Beatrix FitzWalter, Theobald FitzWalter. A dowry was money or property given by a bride's family to her husband. Around the same time the castle was built, a mill was also set up nearby.
Sir Hugh Purcell was the first person to be called the Baron of Loughmoe. This important title was given to him by James Butler, who was the first Earl of Ormonde. The last Baron of Loughmoe was Nicholas Purcell of Loughmoe. He passed away in 1722, and with his death, the title of Baron of Loughmoe came to an end.
A Local Legend: The Boar and Sow
There's a famous old story about how the Purcell family first got Loughmoe Castle. Long ago, the area around Loughmoe was a thick forest ruled by a king who lived in the castle. The people were scared because a wild boar and a sow (a female pig) were causing trouble.
The king promised that anyone who could kill these dangerous animals could marry his only daughter. They would also get the castle and all the land around it. Many brave men tried, but they all failed. Then, a young man named Purcell decided to take on the challenge.
Purcell searched everywhere for the boar and sow. He found the sow first, and after a tough fight, he defeated it with his bow and arrow. When the sow died, its loud squeals caught the attention of the boar, who was in another part of the forest. The boar became very angry and ran through the forest, destroying everything in its path, until it reached the spot where Purcell had killed the sow.
The enraged boar charged straight at Purcell. But Purcell was quick! He shot the boar in the jaw with his bow and arrow. The injured boar ran away and later died. The king kept his promise. He gave Purcell the castle, the land of Loughmoe, and allowed him to marry his daughter.
