Tallaght Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tallaght Castle |
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| site of The Priory Institute Tallaght, in County Dublin | |
View of the Antient Archiepiscopal Palace, Tallaght. 1818
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| Coordinates | 53°17′21″N 6°21′39″W / 53.2892°N 6.3608°W |
Tallaght Castle was once a grand building in Tallaght, County Dublin, Ireland. It was also known as Tallaght House or the Archiepiscopal Palace. This castle has a long history, dating all the way back to the 1300s.
For many years, it served as the official home for the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin. An archbishop is a very important leader in the church. The castle was their residence until 1822. Later, in 1856, a group called the Dominican Order took over the property. The Dominicans are a religious order of priests and brothers.
Today, most of Tallaght Castle is in ruins. Only a small part of it is still standing. This remaining part is now part of the St. Mary's Priory building. You can find it on the grounds of St. Mary's Dominican Priory and the Priory Institute. Even though the castle is mostly gone, some old features remain. These include the palace gardens, the Archbishop’s bathhouse, the Friar's Walk, and even St. Maelruain's Tree.
Contents
A Look at Tallaght Castle's History
Tallaght Castle has seen many changes over the centuries. It started as a strong castle in the 14th century. This means it was built around the 1300s. Castles like this were important for protection in those times.
The Archbishop's Home
For a long time, Tallaght Castle was the main residence for the Archbishop of Dublin. Imagine living in a castle! This was a very important place for the church leader. They would have lived and worked there for many years. The castle was their home until the early 1800s.
New Owners: The Dominicans
After the archbishops moved out, the castle found new owners. In 1856, the Dominican Order took over the property. The Dominicans are a group of religious people. They often live together in places called priories. They used the land and what was left of the castle for their own purposes.
What Remains Today
Even though Tallaght Castle is mostly in ruins, it's still an interesting historical site. You can visit the grounds today. It helps us remember the past and how people lived.
Parts of the Old Castle
Only a small section of the original castle is still standing. This part has been made into the St. Mary's Priory building. It's cool to think that a piece of a 14th-century castle is still in use!
Surviving Features of the Grounds
The grounds around the castle still hold some historical treasures. You can see the old palace gardens. There's also the Archbishop’s bathhouse, which was a place for the archbishop to bathe. The Friar's Walk is another interesting spot. And don't forget St. Maelruain's Tree, which has been there for a very long time. These features help us imagine what the castle and its grounds were like centuries ago.
