Added: 10/15/2005 |
Castle Dublin - what it was likeDublin is not associated with castles in their primary image - massive architectural monuments, impressing both, in huge size and magnificent appeal. Generally, many ancient Dublin houses were the castles at the same time, since they served as the place of living and were specially designed to protect its inhabitants. The first castles were wooden buildings, consisting of various defensive earthworks. In the 13th century, the Dubliners began to build castles with rectangular ditches, flooded with water, provided with stonewalls and towers. However, the descriptions of the earliest castles are minimal, as they have survived only until the 17th century.
Still there are fifty four (according to our data) castles in Dublin, ruined and preserved to various degrees. Moreover, if we look at the map of the former castle Dublin, we will see that the castles formed a strategic defensive circle round the city. Recent fortifications of the castle Dublin consist of the circular Martello Towers, twenty of which were built along the Dublin coast in 1804 as a defense against Napoleon.
The most prominent castle is the Dublin Castle, which is located in the city center. It was built in 1204-28 as a part of the castle Dublin defensive system. After the 17th century, the castle became the palace for the Viceroys of Ireland and English Queens and Kings until 1922 (the end of the British rule in Ireland). Nowadays, the castle is used for elections and state events, including the inaugurations of the Presidents of Ireland. The castle is open for tourists' visits from 10a.m. to 5p.m. on Monday - Friday and from 2p.m. to 5p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Another interesting representative of the old castle Dublin is the Swords Castle. The Castle was built around 1200s and primarily meant to be the residence of the Dublin Archbishops. Although it was not used for military purposes, it covers a large territory of about one and a half acres, with a tower on the north, surrounded with high walls. Currently, it is a National Monument of Ireland and an exclusive sample of the best-preserved castles in Dublin.
The best kept and now used as a deluxe hotel is the Clontarf Castle. The Clontarf castle was built as an inner circle of defensive sites protecting Dublin. Nevertheless, what we see now is a perfect 1837 reconstruction, accomplished by a prominent Irish architect William Vetruvius Morrison. For more than a century after the completion, the castle served as a venue for weddings and cabaret shows. In June 1998, it opened its gates for visitors and tourists. Although it dates back as far as to the year 1172, it still astonishes both, tourists and locals, with its magnificence and is a comfortable home for its visitors.
Certainly, it is a pity that many castles in Dublin have suffered devastation and are not available for exploration and research today. There is the data that if the map of the old castle Dublin was complete, the number of Dublin castles would be twice as much. Despite this, there is much to see and explore in old castles of Dublin.
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