Tinnakill Castle facts for kids

Tinnakill Castle

Tinnakill Castle, also called Tynekill, is an old, ruined castle in County Laois, Ireland. It's a type of castle known as a tower house, which is a tall, strong building used as a home and for defense. The name "Tinnakill" comes from the Irish words Tigh na Coille, meaning "house of the wood."

What is Tinnakill Castle?

Tinnakill Castle is a medieval tower house. This means it was built a long time ago, during the Middle Ages. It has four floors and was designed to be a safe place for a family to live and protect themselves. Today, it is mostly in ruins, but you can still see its strong stone walls.

Who Built Tinnakill Castle?

Historians have different ideas about when Tinnakill Castle was built. Some believe it was built in the mid-1400s by a person named Eoin Carragh MacDonnell. They think he built it on the spot where an even older castle once stood.

Other experts think the castle was built later, in the 1500s. They suggest that the O'Connor family might have owned it first. After that, it became the main home, or "seat," for the MacDonnell family for many years.

What Happened to the Castle?

The MacDonnell family lived in Tinnakill Castle for a long time. The last MacDonnell to own it was James McDonnell. However, he was involved in a big event called the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This was a major uprising in Ireland. Because of his part in this rebellion, the castle was taken away from him.

After it was taken, Tinnakill Castle started to fall apart. It became a ruin over time. In the 1800s, some work was done to try and protect the castle's remains, so it wouldn't completely disappear.