Springfield Castle facts for kids
Springfield Castle is a cool old castle located in the west part of County Limerick, Ireland. It's near the town of Newcastlewest. This castle isn't just one building; it's a group of buildings all around a central courtyard. You'll find two strong stone towers, called keeps, here. One was built way back in the 1400s, and the other in the 1700s. There are also old workshops, stables, and parts of a servants' wing that have been updated.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
The First Builders: The Normans
Around the year 1280, a family called the Fitzgeralds, who were Norman people, came to this area. Back then, it was known as Gort na Tiobrad. The Fitzgeralds became good friends with the local leaders, the Gaelic O'Colleains, and even married into their families. They became known as the Lords of Claonghlais.
During the 1400s, the descendants of these Fitzgeralds built the first stone keep. This old tower has been fixed up, and inside, you can see a special kind of staircase called a mural staircase. These steps are built right inside the thick outer wall of the tower!
A Home for Poets and Soldiers
In the mid-1600s, the Fitzgerald family helped and supported a famous Irish poet named Dáibhí Ó Bruadair (who lived from 1625 to 1698). He wrote poems about the family, sharing stories of their lives and adventures.
As the family became more successful, they built a second keep in the 1700s. This new tower was used to house soldiers, helping to protect the castle.
New Owners and a Fire
In 1691, the King of England took the Fitzgeralds' land, and they had to leave Springfield Castle and go back to France. A man named William Fitzmaurice bought the property. His son, John Fitzmaurice, built a big, fancy three-story house next to the old 13th-century keep. This house was built in an early Georgian style.
Sadly, in 1921, this beautiful Georgian house was destroyed by fire during a time of conflict.
Rebuilding and Today
In 1780, the only heir of the Fitzmaurice family, Ann Fitzmaurice, married Sir Robert Deane, 1st Baron Muskerry. After the fire in 1921, Sir Robert Deane, who was the 5th Baron Muskerry, rebuilt the servants' wing of the Georgian mansion. He also fixed up other parts of the castle buildings.
Today, these parts of the castle, along with 200 acres (81 ha) of land and several smaller lodges, are still lived in by his family's descendants. The castle is currently owned by Robert Deane, 9th Baron Muskerry.
