DESMOND CASTLE, WAR, WAR & WAR. Ireland’s past is full of conflict. But there’s such beauty here too

Rebellions, plantation, siege and destruction, a pattern of tragedy that’s given birth to incredible fortresses like this.

We’re taking a look at Desmond Hall and Castle today. Now there are quite a few Desmond Castles in Ireland. There’s one in Kinsale, there’s another in Adare a bit north east of here, and another in Askeaton just to the north. Such was the importance of the Earls of Desmond. But today’s venue is in the beautiful town of Newcastle West in County Limerick.

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And Newcastle West deserves a mention before we even step inside the castle grounds. After Limerick city itself, Newcastle West is the largest town in the County. It sits on the N21 from Limerick to Tralee. The town grew up around the castle were going to see – hence the town’s name Newcastle, after the new castle was built back in 1298.

The River Arra, flows into the River Deel alongside the castle, and I think you’ll agree that you could hardly site a castle, or a town for that matter in a more beautiful spot.

So this place belonged to the Fitzgerald family for over 200 years, who were the Earls of Desmond. They built it in fact in the 13th Century. The Fitzgeralds were of course a Norman family who assimilated themselves completely in Ireland.

This town was sacked in 1302 and destroyed in 1315. So the castle we see today dates from the 15th Century, but it was built on the same footprint of the earlier buildings. The Desmond’s rebelled against the English Crown in 1591, causing the castle to be confiscated and given to Sir William Courtnay, and in addition 80 English colonists were settled in the area as part of the Munster Plantation. The Fitzgeralds won the castle back in 1598, but their success was shortlived as it fell again the following year and was regranted to the Courtnays in 1639. During the Irish Confederate wars, in 1643, there was a 4 month siege here before the Irish Catholic Confederation siezed the castle and burned it, killing the garrison. A couple of years later Cromwell’s forces attached it and more damage was inflicted on the place at the end of the 17th Century during the Williamite wars. The next castodians were the Mahony family who lived here in the 17th and 18th Centuries. In the 18th Century much of the castle was destroyed again making way for Courtney Castle. A Charles Curling had taken charge of the castle by the 19th Century until it was burned down on the 8th Aug 1922 during the Irish Civil War.

In 1989 this magnificient building was acquired by the state and its incredible renovation work started in 1990, caried out by the Office of Public Works. Its due to that project work that we can now enjoy the renovated Hall and Castle today.

We visit a beautiful statue of the Earl Gerald Desmond who lived here from 1335 – 1398. The statue was created by the Irish sculptor Cliona Cussen, who is herself from Newcastle West.

Now it’s a shame we missed out on seeing the Banquett hall, but it gives me a reason to come back. And those of you who have seen it can tell me all about it in the comments. I’ve seen pictures of it and it is remarkable.

People drive through towns like this all the time, on their way to the big tourist sites – the ring of Kerry, or whatever – but it’s easy to forget about the treasures to be found in these less celebrated places, and the beauty to be found everywhere in Ireland.

Join us and discover beautiful beaches, rugged landscapes, pretty towns, desolate mountain ranges that sweep down to stunning lakes, unique architecture, history and folklore, no shamrocks, no challes, and definitely no shenanigans. Just make it Ireland. We’re taking a look at Desmond Hall and Castle today. Now, there’s quite a few Desmond Castles in Ireland. There’s one in Conceal. There’s another in Adair, a bit northeast of here, and another in Aseton, just to the north. Such was the importance of the ears of Desmond. But today’s venue is in the beautiful town of Newcastle West in 20 Limmerch. And here it is. And Newcastle West deserves a mention before we even step inside the castle grounds. After Limrich City itself, Newcastle West is the largest town in the county. It sits on the N21 from Limmerick to Trale. The town grew up around the castle we’re going to see. Hence, the town’s name is Newcastle after the new castle was built in 1298. I admit it doesn’t seem so new now. This is the river Ara which flows into the river D. And I think you’ll agree that you could hardly set a castle or a town for that matter in a more beautiful spot. And we’ll see a little of the square later after we’ve walked through the castle grounds. But first, we’ll watch as this lady ensures the ducks are fed. Very pretty buildings alongside the river here. And this is where we’re heading. So this place belonged to the Fitzgerald family for over 200 years who were the s of Desmond. They built it in fact in the 13th century. The Fitzgeralds were of course a Norman family who assimilated themselves completely in Ireland. What an amazing cobbled path. And ahead of us, you can see the ongoing renovations to the site. Interesting to see the work in progress. If we project ahead a few years, we’ll have a completely finished complex here, which will be amazing. Now, this place looks the picture of Serenity right now, but it’s important not to forget what these fortifications were for. This town was sacked in 1302 and destroyed in 1315. So the castle we see today dates from the 15th century, but it was built on the same footprint of the earlier buildings. The Desmonds rebelled against the English crown in 1591, causing the castle to be confiscated and given to Sir William Kourtney. And in addition, 80 English colonists were settled in the area as part of the monster plantation. The Fitzgeralds won the castle back in 1598, but their success was short-lived as it fell again the following year and was regranted to the Courtney in 1639. That’s the attractive visitor center there behind these plate glass doors. During the Irish Confederate Wars in 1643, there was a 4 month siege here before the Irish Catholic Confederation seized the castle and burnt it, killing the garrison. A couple of years later, Cromwell’s forces attacked it and more damage was inflicted on the place at the end of the 17th century during the Williamite wars. The next custosians were the Mahani family who lived here in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the 18th century, much of the castle was destroyed again, making way for Courtney Castle. A Charles curling had taken charge of the castle by the 19th century until it was burnt down on the 8th of August 1922 during the Irish civil war in 1989. This magnificent building was acquired by the state and its incredible renovation started in 1990 carried out by the office of public works and it’s due to that project work that we can now enjoy the renovated hall and the castle today. I have to say that it’s all in breathtakingly good condition. Everything is pristine. And what mighty skyscrapers these places must have been in the Middle Ages. They must have really inspired awe in everyone who saw them. So before going inside, we’ll go out the other side of the courtyard which leads out to the town square. A gorgeous wall there of what I think is Boston. This is a beautiful statue of Ear Gerald Desmond who lived here from 1335 to 1398. The statue was created by the Irish sculptor Clea Kussen who is herself from Newcastle West. So, while the castle grounds are totally calm, as you saw, we don’t need to travel far to experience the vibrancy of this great town. And as we walk back into the castle grounds again, let me remind you to offer the film a like if it’s interesting or informative. And please, please, please, as the great James Brown once said, don’t forget to tap the subscribe button while you’re at it. In fact, hit the bell icon in order to get an alert when I post a new video. I wouldn’t want you to miss anything, but subscribing is so important, so I’d really appreciate that. One last look again at this amazing sculpture. I would love a copy of this for my garden. Not that my garden is as grand as this place. Okay. Well, we’ll follow this beautiful Boston ivy purely because it makes such a nice camera shot and then we can re-enter the courtyard. Please don’t forget as well that if you really enjoy these videos and would like to lend further support for my work, you can buy me a paint. Just click on the link on the description below the video and it’ll take you directly to the donation page. So, now let’s get a look inside the building. Unfortunately, I missed the tour of the banquet hall up above. I was presumably too busy filming, but look at this. A beautiful fireplace there dating from 1638. And as we pan around, I have to say that the standard of the renovation here is just incredible. Again, everything is so pristine. I have to wonder if it was ever as beautiful at any other point in its history. The only slight quibble I have, and those of you who know my videos will know what I’m going to say, is that I prefer not to have all the written display boards. But all these artifacts are so brilliant. And this is a stunning font as well. This is simply a lovely space. Now, it’s a shame we missed out on seeing the banquet hall, but it gives me a reason to come back. And those of you who have seen it can tell me all about it in the comments. I’ve seen pictures of it, and it is remarkable. Here we can see raw materials being used in the renovation. It must require such amazing craftsmen to carry out work like this. What a fantastic project to be a part of. We’ll leave by the door through which we arrived leading out to the river Ara again. People drive through towns like this all the time on their way to big tourist sites, the Ring of Carry or wherever. But it’s easy to forget about the treasures to be found in these less celebrated places and the beauty to be found everywhere in Ireland. And on that subject, it’s onwards for me to my next destination. There are many more bridges to cross, more discoveries to be made. So, I hope you’ll join me for the next Naked Ireland video.