Newcastle West Castle

Newcastle West Castle, more commonly known as Desmond Castle, lies in the center of the town of Newcastle West, in County Limerick, in Ireland.

A castle here, just off the north bank of the River Arra, was reputedly founded in 1184, but no evidence corroborates this. Its builders were most probably the Geraldines. That castle was sacked in 1302 and destroyed in 1315.

Having been rebuilt by the Earls of Desmond during the 15th century, Newcastle West Castle was seized by the Crown in 1591, after the fall of the Desmond FitzGeralds in the Desmond Rebellions. Subsequently, it was granted to the Courtenays. James FitzThomas FitzGerald, called the Súgán Earl and pretender to the Earldom of Desmond, managed to retake the castle in 1598, but lost it again the next year. It then was regranted to the Courtenays.

In 1643, it was burnt after a 4-month siege by Confederate Catholics. The castle was again attacked in 1645 by the troops of Oliver Cromwell and suffered further damage in the course of the Williamite War in Ireland in the late 17th century.

During the following centuries the castle kept being inhabited but lost its importance. As a result, parts of it were demolished to create space for a new residence of the Courtenays. All was finally burned down in 1922 during the Irish Civil War.

What remains today is a curious ensemble of buildings. For starters, the area that can now be visited only encompasses the eastern half of the original castle terrain. The western half is now a private garden, with some castle ruins in it serving as garden ornaments.

The eastern half is made up of 2 banqueting halls, dating back to the 15th century. The hall resembling a tower house, in the northeast corner of the castle terrain and next to the town square, is called the Desmond Hall. It was built on the remains of an earlier 13th century structure. The other hall, presently unroofed, situated in the midst of the western half, is called the Great Hall.

Then there is also a castellated rectangular building in the southeast corner, next to the river. This is known as 'Fullers Folly', as it was built in the 1870s by William Fuller Hartnett.

At present, Newcastle West Castle is a museum and can freely be visited during office hours from March till September.

Gallery