Castle

Almost square in plan with opposing semi-circular towers projecting at the W and E angles, it is built of uncoursed limestone and greywacke and is three storeys high. The angles at the N and S are rounded but are not projecting and do not contain towers. The castle has been recently pointed and has modern windows inserted, and the walls are topped by modern crenellations. The barrel vault over the ground-floor level has either been completely removed or else is well covered up. The stairwell was originally in the W tower but has now been gutted, as has the garderobe which was situated in the E tower. There is a possible exit for the garderobe where there is a relieving arch at the base of the NE face of the E tower. The original doorway was in the NW facade just to the NE of the W angle-tower. The castle has plain eighteenth-century additions on the NE and SW sides. (Bence-Jones 1978, 261) The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 July 2007

Smarmore Castle was built in the late 15th or early 16th century by the MacCárthaigh (MacCarthy) family, a prominent Gaelic Irish dynasty. It is remembered as a fine example of late medieval Irish castle architecture and reflects the defensive and political strategies of the MacCarthy lords in the region.