Kilkea Castle
Over the bank holiday weekend we stayed in the beautiful surroundings of Kilkea Castle in Kildare. Not to far of a spin in the car. As per usual in Ireland we get the good weather on the bank holidays… those who know … know.
There is much history in this castle and for this interest here is a bit from the hotels information…
Today, Kilkea is known as one of Ireland’s oldest inhabited castles and as the erstwhile home of the mighty
FitzGerald dynasty. However, it was the Anglo-Norman warrior Sir Walter who was the first owner of the
stronghold here. Born into the swashbuckling medieval age of castles and conquests, de Riddlesford rose to prominence
following the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in 1169 when fighting men’s loyalties were richly rewarded.
The redoubtable knight Strongbow, having played a leading role in the invasion, granted de Riddlesford
property in the ancient tribal territory of ‘Omurethy’ in south Kildare, including the barony of Kilkea and
Moone. The first castle at Kilkea remained in de Riddlesford’s family for three generations until his granddaughter,
the heiress Emmeline, married into the FitzGerald dynasty. Over the following seven centuries, the
FitzGeralds held sway, and Kilkea Castle grew in magnificence, while the shadowy figure of Sir Walter and
his fort faded from view.
As you walk around you find touches of the old history hidden from view. This overgrown grave yard holds stories from as far back as the 15th century…
As well as the Golf Couse there are some wonderful gardens and part of the old mote that circled this castle still runs past it.
Away from the grounds there is a small woodland trail that leads to an ancient hilltop fort. It is a hill in the middle of this wood land and to the untrained eye is just a hill… my eye is very untrained but I did like the view from the farmers field…
Lastly here are some details and miscellaneous shots from the weekend… when the sky is grey in Ireland I sometimes blow the sky out and pretend I brought the Castle in for some good old standard Headshots on a white background… Don’t judge me… I know I lost detail in the highlights… it happens…
