Roodstown Castle — Roodstown

Four storeys high, built of uncoursed rubble and greywacke, with projecting towers at its NW and SE angles. Repairs were carried out by the Office of Public Works in 1936. This work can be seen clearly in the replacement of some of the quoin stones of the angle-towers, restructuring of the parapet levels and, possibly, repair of the main doorway in the E wall. The NW angle-tower, which contains the garderobes, projects northwards, but by only 0.9m, and is 2.25m wide. The SE tower, which contains the stairwell, projects southwards by 1.45m and is 2.6m wide. The main doorway, situated just to the N of the SE angle, leads to a N-S barrel vault and to the stairwell. It is constructed of finely-dressed limestone blocks which have smooth margins similar to the lower quoin stones. It has a two-centred arch which is chamfered as are the jambs. The barrel vault, which is set on a N-S axis, has double-splayed opes in its N, S and W walls. There is a murder hole (0.35m by 0.4m) in the roof inside the main doorway, outside the entrance to the stairwell. The doorway to the stairwell is also constructed of limestone blocks and has a two-centred arch but the dressing is much cruder than that of the main entrance. It has bolt holes behind its reveals. At first-floor level there are windows in the N, S and W walls. Those in the N and S have two lights with ogee heads, while that in the W is a single light with ogee head. There is a transom in the S one (Leask 1977a, fig. 71) and it also has a window seat. The ope in the N wall had a window seat but this has been destroyed. All the windows have glazing bar holes and are constructed of finely-dressed limestone. The second and third floors were carried on corbels. At the second-floor level there is a single-light window with ogee head in each wall, and at third-floor level there is a small rectangular window at each side. There is a garderobe at each level in the NW angle-tower but only that on the first floor is now easily accessible. It has seating in a semi-circular area at the W of the chamber and a corbelled roof, now partially destroyed. The garderobe at second-floor level has its chute set into a semi-circular area but no further details could be seen since the tower is not easily accessible. All the angles have towers which rise above the parapet level. Those at the NE and SW are partially carried on squinches in the inner angles, while those at the NW and SE sit on the body of the wall and project outwards. The wall-walk is constructed with large flagstones and there are drain holes through the parapets. The battlements appear to have been stepped at the N and E sides and this may have been true for the other walls. But the tops of the walls were conserved in 1936 so their original form cannot be determined. The angle-towers appear to have had no second storey above roof level but this could also be the result of conservation work. The wall-walk pierces the bodies of all the angle towers except the SE one which carries the stairwell and the exit to the battlements in its W wall. No access is possible to the NE angle-tower because the exit from the NW tower is now blocked. The roofs of the NW and SW towers are corbelled with large flagstones. (Wright 1758, bk II, pl. XI; Leask 1977a, 107, fig. 71; Harbison 1975, 166-7) This is a National Monument, in state ownership: No. 298. See the attached views: _1 from NE: _2 from NW; _3 interior looking NW 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