What is recorded here

Castle, Carlow is an Anglo-Norman masonry castle in County Carlow, Ireland. Its large rectangular three-story limestone keep dates to the early thirteenth century and had circular towers at each angle. The surviving west wall and end towers still rise on the ground, preserving the shape of a building made to watch, resist and be remembered.

National Monument No. 10030. Large rectangular three-story limestone keep, of early thirteenth-century date, with circular towers at each angle. Present remains consist of W wall with circular end towers. Built on rising ground with large crennelated stone wall enclosing castle. Main entrance in W wall at first-floor level, now broken out. Similar ground plan to Ferns, Co. Wexford, and Lea, Co. Laois. (Leask 1936, 168-70; AJ 1973, 47-49; Bradley 1989, 8) The above 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

Built in the early 13th century, Castle Carlow was likely constructed by the FitzGerald dynasty, who were prominent Anglo-Norman lords in the region. It is important as a well-preserved example of early medieval military architecture in Ireland.

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