Carlingford is home to a superb medieval castle in ruins. It’s usually called King John’s Castle (not to be confused with Limerick Castle), or Carlingford Castle. Magnificent, it seems to sit on a huge rock overlooking the Irish Sea (Carlingford Lough). Now in ruins, the building offers an inexplicable charm to the village: very popular with tourists, it’s one of the local must-sees!
Carlingford Castle’s history is closely linked to the life of the famous Hugues de Lacy, a wealthy Anglo-Norman who left his mark on Irish history (Lord of Meath and Earl of Ulster). He was responsible for part of the château’s construction (notably the west wing).
The building owes its name “King John’s Castle” to the fact that King John, Lord of Ireland, supposedly stayed here for 3 days in 1210. The latter is said to have stopped off at the castle on an expedition to invade Ulster. He was determined to track down Hugues de Lacy, the owner of the château himself, who had fled there!
The château has endured many historic episodes over the centuries… Until it was reduced to the ruins it is today. Carlingford Castle is as magnificent as ever, and its ruins add to its charm.
Its structure, although weakened, is D-shaped. The walls are 3.4 meters thick, allowing the castle to withstand the most virulent attacks.
The west wing featured a guardhouse and a square tower with narrow loopholes.
The east wing featured an impressive rectangular hall, a basement and 2 additional floors.
Today, it’s still possible to visit them, but some areas are impassable as they are considered too dangerous. Nevertheless, you can stroll through the ruins and admire the architecture typical of the Anglo-Norman period. And don’t miss the view over the sea: you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time!
Adresse :
GPS :
Tour duration :
