Black Castle is an Anglo-Norman fortress located south of the port of Wicklow in Ireland. In ruins, it was built in 1176 by Maurice Fitzgerald, to whom the region had been given after the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century. Today’s castle is in a sorry state of repair, but offers visitors a magical setting! The building was built on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea and surrounding cliffs!
The Black Castle is a great place to immerse yourself in Irish history, and admire the view over the Wicklow countryside. If the castle is now in ruins, it’s because it was repeatedly attacked by local Irish clans, hostile to Anglo-Norman interference in their territory. These attacks are said to have occurred between the 12th and 16th centuries (notably by the O’Byrne and O’Toole families), and to have damaged the castle to the point of rendering it uninhabitable.
In any case, it’s free to visit, and the ideal setting for a few pretty photos, with a picnic by the sea. The icing on the cake: it’s only 2 steps from the town of Wicklow!
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
S Quay, Corporation Lands, Wicklow (County Wicklow) - Republic of Ireland
52.981448, -6.030888
15 minutes
Here are a few useful places to stay so you can extend your trip and stay close to the sights you want to visit.
