Friarstown Castle (in ruins) — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Friarstown Castle is a ruined tower house in County Carlow where granite angles still rise from rubble. It belonged to the Preceptory of Killerrig until suppression, and a D-shaped enclosure with double ditches probably surrounded it. A bullaun stone lies nearby, pitted by hands that may have prayed, marked time or simply repeated a habit no one recorded.

The following description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 July 2007 Present remains consist of SW angle and foundations of W wall standing in heap of rubble, indicating rectangular structure (7.5m NE-SW; 14.6m, NW-SE) of roughly coursed granite boulders. Aerial photographs (CUCAP AYL 41-45) show extensive cropmarks including D-shaped enclosure (est diam. c. 50m) with two fosses, within which tower house stands, and rectangular enclosures, probably moated site with attached field (CW008-054----) to SW. In possession of Preceptory of Killerrig (CW008-007----) at time of suppression. Bullaun stone (CW008-053----) found near the tower house. (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 337; MacNeill 1932, 152)

Friarstown Castle was built in the 15th century by the Butler family, Earls of Ormond, and later held by the Fitzgeralds, a prominent Gaelic noble family. It is remembered as an example of late medieval Irish castle architecture and as a site reflecting the complex political and territorial dynamics of southeast Ireland.

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