The Medieval Castles of Ireland

Cork, Ireland: The Collins Press, 1999. First Edition . Hard Back. Fine/Very Good. 8" X 10 1/2. 218 Pages with Placename Index. Beautiful new condition with green boards and light green endpapers. No defects noted and interior text pages are flawless. Illustrations on almost all pages. Dust jacket has evidence of label removal on the back. While an Englishman's home is his castle, in Ireland virtually all castles were built for defensive purposes. The arrival of the Anglo-Normans in Ireland is traditionally dated as 1169. Their impact on Irish history was profound and not just political and military. They also contributed to many other spheres of activity, not least architecture. This book deals with the development of the Irish castle from 1169 to the seventeenth century. Approaching the topic in a logical and systematic way, a chapter is allocated to each type of castle in chronological order. Beginning with the large earthwork and stone castles, newly introduced by the Anglo- Normans, the author describes and discusses the later medieval hall houses and tower houses. These were followed by strong houses and fortified houses at the end of the late medieval period. Today Blarney Castle (County Cork) and Bunratty Castle (County Limerick) are probably the best-known surviving examples of medieval castle building. Without these and the many others to be found in whole or in part throughout the country Ireland would be a different place.