What is recorded here

Rothe's Castle stood in Townparks until 1747, when Lord Limerick demolished it and every other town castle to make room for substantial houses. The brute efficiency of that sweep erased a landmark visible on Henry Duke's 1594 map, replacing medieval defence with domestic comfort. What remains is absence given architectural purpose: a gap where a tower resisted time, now filled with walls built for living rather than watching.

Approximate location of what is referred to as 'Rothe's Castle' or Rood's Castle. It is shown on the perspective map of Dundalk Town by Henry Duke, June 1594. It is believed to have survived until 1747 when Lord Limerick demolished all the town castles 'erecting good substantial houses' instead. (O'Sullivan 1963, 282-9; Gosling 1982, 129, No. 46; 1991, fig. 20, No. 6) 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

Built by the Rothe family, likely in the late 16th century, Castle, tower house in Townparks, is remembered as a historic structure associated with the influential Anglo-Norman Rothe dynasty in the Dundalk area. It appears on early maps and was noted as surviving until 1747 when it was demolished by Lord Limerick.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.