King John’s Castle is an imposing castle built in the city of Limerick on King’s Island, a small island in the city center. Raised on the banks of the River Shannon, the fortress welcomes thousands of visitors every year to discover the medieval times of Ireland. The tour is a delightful experience for young and old alike…
Brian Boru – J.-H. Janßen – cc
Before King John’s Castle was built, there was an earlier fortress, built by Viking chieftain Thormodr Helgason in 922. During this period, the Vikings of Limerick lived to the rhythm of the plundering of monasteries and the sacking of surrounding villages.
In 937, a terrible war broke out between the Vikings of Limerick and the people of Dublin. This conflict lasted until 943, when the Vikings of Limerick had to accept their defeat, and bow to the Irish clans, led by the famous King Brian Boru. The Vikings were forced to retreat.
It was in 1172 that everything changed when the Anglo-Normans landed. The latter soon coveted the town of Limerick, and decided to take it by force, burning it down in 1174. It wasn’t until 1195 that they finally succeeded in making it their own, under the reign of King John, lord of the Kingdom of Ireland.
Extensive reconstruction work was then carried out, and the construction of a castle was ordered by King John himself in 1200. This castle is the one we know today, named after the king himself.
The castle was occupied in 1642 by Protestants fleeing the Irish rebellion of 1641, and was then besieged by Irish Confederate forces, who abused the castle’s condition by digging up the fortress’s foundations, and mutilating the ramparts with projectiles…
It’s a special feature of Limerick. The city, was besieged several times during the XVIIᵉ century! It is estimated that the castle became the scene of five successive sieges, each one bringing its own share of conflicts, military strategies and battles.
It has to be said that the site has always been considered an important strategic stake. Its position on King’s Island, in the heart of the Shannon, gave it a significant strategic advantage in defending Limerick from invasion. Its sturdy walls, massive towers and central location made it an essential defensive bastion during centuries of warfare in Ireland.
Here’s an overview of the various sieges of King John’s castle in Limerick:
The first major siege of King John’s Castle took place in 1642, as part of the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This revolt by Irish Catholics against English Protestant rule created tensions throughout the country. In Limerick, Irish Confederate forces stormed the castle, which at the time served as a refuge for English and Irish Protestants fleeing the violence of the rebellion.
Despite resistance from the occupants, the Confederate forces succeeded in taking control of the castle after several days of intense fighting. This siege marked a turning point in the war, underlining the strategic importance of Limerick and King John’s Castle in the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in Ireland.
The second siege of King John’s Castle took place in 1650, in the midst of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, a complex conflict involving England, Scotland and Ireland. At the time, England’s forces were under the command of Oliver Cromwell, determined to crush all resistance in Ireland.
In 1650, Cromwell’s notoriously brutal troops targeted Limerick. The siege of King John’s Castle was particularly violent, with Cromwell’s soldiers using intimidation tactics and massive bombardments to weaken the defenders. After several weeks of fierce fighting, the castle finally fell into the hands of the Parliamentary forces, marking a crushing defeat for the Irish defenders and strengthening the English hold on the city.
The following year, in 1651, King John’s Castle was again besieged as part of Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland. This third siege was marked by repeated attacks on the castle’s fortifications. The Irish forces, exhausted and weakened by previous battles, tried to resist, but faced with the resources and discipline of the Parliamentary troops, defense became increasingly difficult.
The fall of the castle during this third siege reinforced English control over Limerick, which remained under their domination for several decades. King John’s Castle became a symbol of Irish resistance to the invaders, but also of the overwhelming power of the English army.
The fourth siege of the castle took place in 1690, during the War of the Two Kings, which pitted Catholic King James II against Protestant King William III of England (William of Orange). This war also divided Ireland, with Catholics supporting James II and Protestants supporting William.
Limerick, a strategic city for Jacobites (supporters of James II), was a key point of resistance against William’s troops. In 1690, pro-Williamite forces laid siege to the town and castle. However, the well-prepared and determined Jacobite defenders fiercely resisted. Despite efforts by the Williamites to breach the walls of King John’s Castle, they were unable to take control of the castle that year, and the siege was eventually lifted. This fourth siege reinforced Limerick’s reputation as “the unconquered city”.
The fifth and final siege of King John’s Castle took place in 1691, marking the end of Jacobite resistance in Ireland. After the failure of 1690, the Williamite forces decided to return in force to seize Limerick and its castle, determined to put an end to Jacobite resistance.
This final siege was brutal. Williamite forces surrounded the town and castle, using intensive bombardment to weaken the defenders. The British also found it clever to “catapult” plague victims into the castle, to infect the besieged. A dark and terrifying practice, which proved formidable.
Despite the bravery of the Jacobite soldiers, they were no match for the military superiority of the Williamites. In October 1691, after weeks of siege, Limerick and King John’s Castle finally surrendered.
The surrender was followed by the signing of the Treaty of Limerick, which put an end to the Jacobite Wars in Ireland, but also marked the beginning of several decades of persecution for Irish Catholics.
King John’s Castle – Marion Wacker – cc
King Jean’s castle can be visited in its entirety. A Vistor Centre is at your disposal to pay your entrance ticket. You’ll then have the chance to explore the castle grounds, and admire the fabulous cut-stone ramparts, stone bridges and arches…
We’d better warn you: King John’s Castle is simply huge. It is by far one of the most important castles on the island of Ireland. It is considered a precious vestige of Irish medieval history.
You can also take note of the state of the castle walls, which were extensively damaged during the siege of Limerick in 1642, one of the city’s first sieges. (Limerick suffered more than 5 in the entire 17th century).
All around are a few period houses. They are narrow and square, built in the style of the fortified towers of the period.
Allow around an hour and a half for the visit… Afterwards, if you like, you can browse the stores in the Visitor Centre and take home some souvenirs of your medieval visit…
Did you know? The 1995 film Braveheart, directed by Mel Gibson, features a number of scenes filmed at Limerick Castle. The building has all the rusticity and authenticity of a medieval castle worthy of the name!
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