Burnchurch Castle is a superb Irish castle, located 6.5 km from Kilkenny. Dating from the 15th century, its style is deeply Anglo-Norman, with its square fortified tower. A beautiful castle, one of the region’s must-see attractions!
Burnchurch Castle is said to have belonged to the Fitzgerald family, Earls of Desmond until 1817. They built the château as their main residence, and divided it into 2 separate buildings: a square Anglo-Norman tower on one side as the main residence, and a 12.5-meter-high round tower on the other.
The main tower is 6 storeys high, and has the strange distinction of having an unusually high number of secret passages leading to the castle’s various rooms and chambers. No other castle in Ireland has so many passages through its walls… A secret chamber has even been built on the 4th floor! According to historians, these hidden passages and rooms were used to protect the castle’s residents in the event of an attack.
The square tower features numerous mullioned windows. Among the building’s other curiosities is a superb fireplace with a finely sculpted arch. A second chimney, located on the top floors, also stands out for its rounded shape. The latter would not be period, and would have been built a century later…
A main courtyard links the square tower to the round tower. The place is silent, with an indescribable charm. Admission is not free, but it’s well worth the detour!
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