Drimnagh Castle, Dublin

Drimnagh Castle ("Caisleán Dhroimeanaigh" in Irish) is a Norman castle located in Drimnagh, a suburb of Dublin, Ireland. It is the only remaining castle in Ireland with a flooded moat around it. Drimnagh Castle Christian Brothers Schools is located next to the site of the castle.

Until 1954 Drimnagh Castle was one of the oldest continually inhabited Castles in Ireland, and is an outstanding example of an old feudal stronghold.

The earliest recorded owner of Drimnagh Castle was Cuddy who is mentioned in the state papers relating to Ireland in 1216. The last occupants of Drimnagh Castle were the Hatch family, dairy farmers, who bequeathed the castle and surrounding grounds to the Christian Brothers in the mid 1950s.

The buildings within the moat consist of a 15th century great hall with an attached 16th century tower, and a large early 20th century stone building used as a stable and a ballroom and a coach house at various times in the castle's history. Initially the Christian Brothers lived and ran a school there until 1956 when they built a new school in the grounds. By the mid 1980s the castle was a ruin with fallen roofs, missing windows and partly collapsed masonry.

In 1978 the local GAA Club, took possession of the Castle Coach-house and renovated it to give them a clubhouse of Community hall, kitchen and changing rooms with adjoining showers.

In 1986 Peter Pearson a well known artist, with An Taisce, the national trust for Ireland, set up a local committee to put together a conservation and restoration programme. All work was carried out by hand; the construction of a 15th century medieval oak roof over the great hall, mullioned stone windows, lime mortars for building stone and plastering and wood carving in oak. A beautiful formal 17th century style garden was also created.

By 1996 the work programme finished although the castle was far from being completely restored. Today the castle provides tours to the public and can be hired as a venue for weddings and other events.

Opening Times

April-Oct: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, 12pm-5pm.
November-March: Wednesday, 12pm-5pm; Sunday, 2pm-5pm

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Ticket Prices

Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Telephone: 00 353 (0)1 4508927
Email: drimnaghcastle@eirecom.net

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