Sunday, September 30, 2012

Irish Castles

 Ireland has a vast number of castles dotting the countryside, from romantic ruined castles and castle towers, to the fine stately castles of Irish Chieftains and Irish Castle Hotels. Ireland has castles that are filled with history and character and there even some haunted castles to discover. - in:  http://www.myguideireland.com/castles-in-ireland

Speaking of haunted castles, a lot more tan the scenic beauty of Clifden Castle was captured on film when this picture was taken. On the back of the card it says "No special effects or photo-manipulation have been used to alter this photograph or its negative in the reproduction of this image. This photograph was taken on the 22nd of August 2002".
Clifden Castle was built by John d'Arcy in a Gothic Revival style in the 18th century, about 1750. The house was only lived in for about 90 years before it was abandoned in the 1840's.
The house fell into ruin and was stripped bare of anything that could be sold by the locals in order to feed themselves.

© Liam Blake
Athlone Castle is a Norman Castle that dominates the town centre of Athlone in County Westmeath. It commands the traditional gateway to the West of Ireland. The first real signs of settlement at Athlone grew up in Anglo-Norman times around the castle which was built for King John of England by his Irish justiciar Bishop John De Gray of Norwich. Though not the first castle to be built at Athlone this castle has endured like no other. Looking at it today it still incorporates elements of the castle of 1210 together with various additions and alterations which were made in response to advances in warfare. It has many of the characteristics of a Napoleonic fortification as it was remodeled during that period to defend the crossing point of the Shannon. - in:  http://www.discoverireland.com/ireland-things-to-see-and-do/listings/product/?fid=FI_505
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