Woodstock Castle (Athy) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Woodstock Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Native name Irish: Caisleán Bhodastóic |
|
West wall
|
|
| Type | Castle |
| Location | Castle Park, Athy, County Kildare, Ireland |
| Built | early 13th century |
| Architectural style(s) | Norman |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
Woodstock Castle is an old stone castle in Athy, Ireland. It was built a long time ago, in the 13th century. This castle has seen many changes and events over the centuries.
Contents
Where is Woodstock Castle?
Woodstock Castle is found in the northern part of Athy. It stands on the west side of the River Barrow.
The Story of Woodstock Castle
Building the Castle
Woodstock Castle was built in the early 1200s. A Norman lord named Robert de St Michael had it built. He received the land and Rheban Castle from Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow.
The castle was built near a river crossing called the "ford of Ae." This crossing gave the town of Athy its name. At first, the castle had earth walls and wooden fences called palisades. Later, these were replaced with strong stone walls. The main part was a rectangular building with a large hall and storage underground.
Early Challenges
In the 13th century, a group of monks called the Crutched Friars built a monastery next to Woodstock Castle. But the area was not always peaceful. The village of Athy, including the castle and monasteries, was attacked many times. These attacks were by the local Irish people.
Changes Over Time
Around 1417, a new castle called White's Castle was built nearby. It was built to protect a bridge over the river. This made the town of Athy grow more to the south. Woodstock Castle became less central.
Later, around 1424, the castle became part of the land owned by the Earls of Kildare. This happened when Thomas FitzGerald, 7th Earl of Kildare married Dorothea of the Ó Mórdha family.
In the 1500s, the castle was changed quite a bit. A new tower was added to one corner. Special openings for cannons, called gunports, were put in the west wall. The walls were also made taller to add a third floor. New windows with decorative frames were also added. In 1530, Gerald FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Kildare made the castle even stronger.
Wars and Battles
Woodstock Castle was very important during the Irish Confederate Wars (1641–1653). These were a series of battles in Ireland. The castle changed hands several times during these wars.
- In 1642, James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormond took it from the rebels.
- In 1647, Eoghan Ruadh Ó Néill captured it and defeated the soldiers inside.
- In 1648, Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin took Woodstock back.
Castle Secrets
There's a local story that a secret tunnel once connected Woodstock Castle to White's Castle. Imagine exploring a hidden tunnel between two castles!
Sadly, some of the inner walls of Woodstock Castle were taken down. The stones were used to help build the Athy Town Hall.
What the Castle Looks Like Now
Woodstock Castle is a tall stone building with three floors. It used to have a stone carving of a person playing the great Irish warpipes. This special artwork was later moved to Kilkea Castle.
