DRIMNAGH CASTLE
West Dublin

Drimnagh Castle (the "gh" is silent), built of local grey limestone, is Dublin's only authentic medieval castle, and is in a remarkable location, hidden behind a school and surrounded by industrial estates.  It was, until 1954, one of the oldest continually inhabited castles in Ireland. As you approach this ancient Castle, the presence of the moat creates a lasting impression. It is the only castle in Ireland to retain its flooded moat. Its rectangular shape encloses the Castle, the gardens and yard, creating a safe haven for men and animals in times of war and disturbance. The moat is fed by a small stream and drains into the Lansdown Valley. The heraldic emblems in the windows record the names of the principle occupants of the Castle: Barnewall, Loftus and Lansdown. The tiled floor also employs heraldic motifs from the coat of arms of the Barnewall family. Two lookout turrets known as (Captowers) give clear views of all the Western approaches to Dublin City stretching from the Dublin Mountains to the Phoenix Park. These and vast stretches of the surrounding lands were owned by the Barnewalls during the 13th-16th centuries. They were a powerful Norman family who were intermarried with other land owning families in the Dublin area. Features of the Castle include The Great Hall, a Murder Hole, Stone Turret and The Undercroft, which is the oldest part of the Castle. Outside there is the Courtyard, Garden, Yard, the Stable building (originally a barn of late medieval or 17th century construction, rebuilt by the Hatch family in 1904) and the Coachhouse. In summer, the gardens are particularly attractive, with their formal 17th-century design.