Parkavonear Castle facts for kids
Parkavonear Castle is an old ruin from the 1200s in Ireland. It stands tall near Aghadoe, looking over the beautiful lakes of Killarney. This castle was built a long time ago, after a group called the Anglo-Normans arrived in Ireland in 1169.
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What is Parkavonear Castle?
A Unique Design
Most castles built by the Normans were shaped like a square or rectangle. But Parkavonear Castle is different! It's round, like a big cylinder. This makes it quite special.
The castle walls are super thick, about two meters (that's over six feet!) wide. Inside, there was plenty of space on each floor. The castle had two stories. A secret staircase built right inside the wall connected the two floors.
How Castles Were Protected
Today, you can walk into the lower floor of the castle. But long ago, the only way to get inside was through the higher floor. This was a smart defense trick! If attackers came, the people inside could pull up their ladder. This made it very hard for anyone to get in.
Only the stone parts of Parkavonear Castle are still standing. The wooden floors and roof have long since fallen apart or been removed.
What's Left Around the Castle?
Around the main castle tower, there used to be square-shaped earthworks. These were like big dirt walls that added extra protection. Today, only small traces of these earthworks can still be seen.
The Castle's Name
The name Parkavonear comes from the Irish words paírc an mhóinéir. This means "field of the meadow." Sometimes you might see it spelled "Parkvonear," but locals usually include the middle letter 'a'.
