Redwood Castle facts for kids
Redwood Castle (also known as Egan Castle) is an old Norman castle near Lorrha in County Tipperary, Ireland. It has a long and interesting history!
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Redwood Castle: A Journey Through Time
This castle was first built by the Normans around the year 1200. Imagine, that's over 800 years ago! They lived there for about 150 years.
Around 1350, a family called the Mac Aodhagáin (also known as MacEgan or Egan) took over the castle and the land. This family was very important. They were known as "Brehons," which means they were like lawyers and judges in ancient Ireland.
A School of Learning
The Mac Aodhagáin family did something special at Redwood Castle. They started a school! This school taught about laws and other important subjects. The family supported this school for hundreds of years.
What Makes Redwood Castle Special?
The castle was made bigger and fixed up many times, especially after 1350. It has very thick stone walls, which were common for castles back then. It also has some cool features. One is a "murder-hole," which was a clever way to defend the castle from attackers. Another interesting feature is a "Sheela na gig," which is a special carving often found on old Irish buildings.
The Egan family owned and lived in the castle continuously until about 1650. At that time, during a period of conflict called the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, the castle was taken from them and burned.
From Ruins to Renovation
For over 300 years, Redwood Castle was just a ruin. Only its strong outer walls were left standing. But then, in 1972, a lawyer named Michael J. Egan bought the castle. He worked hard to fix it up and bring it back to life!
Today, Redwood Castle is a private home. However, because of a special program that helps preserve old buildings, it is sometimes open for visitors during the summer months. It's also a protected building, meaning it's important to keep it safe for the future.
The castle has also hosted special gatherings for the "Clan Egan" in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
