Reeves Castle facts for kids

Reeves Castle is an old tower house, which is a type of small castle. It was built a long time ago, in the 14th century. You can find it in County Kildare, Ireland. This castle is so important that it's listed on the Record of Monuments and Places with special codes.

Where is Reeves Castle?

Reeves Castle is located in the countryside of County Kildare. It's about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) north of a place called Ardclough. It's also about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) south-southwest of Celbridge. The castle sits about 660 meters (720 yards) south of a bend in the River Liffey.

The Story of Reeves Castle

How Reeves Castle Got Its Name

People think the name "Reeves" comes from an old language called Anglo-Norman. In that language, "rive" means "riverbank." This makes sense because the castle is near the River Liffey. However, some people believe the name comes from an old Irish word, "ruibh," which means "rue" (a type of plant).

Why Was It Built?

Reeves Castle was built in the 14th century. It was one of many tower houses made to protect an area called The Pale. The Pale was a part of Ireland controlled by the English. These castles helped defend against raiders from Gaelic Ireland.

The Castle in the 1500s

In the 16th century, Reeves Castle was part of a larger area called the manor of Donaghcumper. In 1537, the castle and the manor were rented to a man named Sir John Alen. The Alen family's special symbols, called "arms," were put on Reeves Castle. You can still see them there today, connected to a newer building. In 1537, the area around the castle included the castle itself, three houses, six small cottages, and about 160 acres of land.

Fires and Repairs

Reeves Castle was burned during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This happened because Lord Justice John Borlase gave the order. But by 1649, the castle was listed as being "in good repair," meaning it had been fixed up. The castle was clearly shown on a map of County Kildare made in 1783 by Alexander Taylor. In the 1700s and 1800s, the castle belonged to the Earls of Leitrim.

Reeves Castle Today

Today, Reeves Castle is located on a grain farm owned by Michael McBennett. It is not open for people to visit.

What Does the Castle Look Like?

Reeves Castle is four stories tall. It has a special semi-circular tower that holds a staircase. The original entrance to the castle was on its south side. In the 18th or 19th century, a stone farmhouse was built right next to the south wall of the old castle. There is also an archway on the north wall. This archway might have led to a "bawn," which was a walled yard around the castle.