Morgan Walters

4/15/15
Google Basics

Castles of Ireland

I chose the do research the Castles of Ireland as my topic because Ireland is

a very pretty country and the castles and architecture is very interesting as
well. While researching the Castles of Ireland, I focused on three main
Castles. Adare Manor, The Dublin Castle, and Ballyseede Castle. I was
hoping to learn a little bit more about the history of the castle and what they
are used for today.
Adare Manor
When Lord Dunraven began to rebuild his home, he conceived a grand
architectural scheme brimming with vigorous imagination and peppered with
eccentricity. To marshal his taste for eclecticism and keep it in step with the
principles of a beautiful house, the services of a front rank architect were
required. The Earl chose James Pain whose technical flair and ability were
indisputable.The house is initially reminiscent of a chateau, but many of its
features are shared by great residences of the era in Britain and Ireland.
Mysteriously, the Manor is laid out as a Calendar House. 365 stained
windows and 52 chimneys mark the annual tally of days and weeks.
Sleuthing visitors may be able to spot references to the 7 days of the week
and 12 months of the year. Although there are other examples of such

buildings, they are rare, and no one is certain why the Earl determined on
this symbolism. This allusive quality is heightened by discreet gargoyles and
French or Latin mottoes graven on secluded walls. The Manor is also used as
a five star hotel today.

The Dublin Castle

The Castle stands on the high ridge, the highest ground in the locality, at the
junction of the River Liffey and its tributary the (now underground) Poddle,
which formed a natural boundary on two sides. It is very probable that the
original fortification on this easily defended strategic site was a Gaelic
Ringfort, which guarded the harbour, the adjacent Dubhlinn Ecclesiastical
Centre and the four long distant roads that converged nearby.In the 930's, a

Danish Viking Fortress stood on this site and part of the town defences is on
view at the Undercroft, where the facing stone revetments offered protection
against the River Poddle. Their settlement of Dyflinn (a corruption of
Dubhlinn) quickly became the main Viking military base and trading centre
of slaves and silver, in Ireland. The Norwegian and sometimes Danish rulers
had control of the Irish Sea and forayed deep into the centre of Ireland,
where monasteries, with their precious ornaments and vessels, were easy
targets. Eventually their power was broken, when they and their allies were
heavily defeated by an Irish army under the command of King Brian Boru, at
the Battle of Clontarf, 1014.The site has been occupied over the ages and
modified to suit its ever-changing functions. All the historic buildings have
been restored and the Castle is now fully integrated into Irish society. It now
plays host to European Union Presidencies, Heads of State, and leaders of
business, industry and government. It is also a major tourist attraction and
citizens of all nations experience the varied facilities and the unique historic
layers revealed throughout the complex - from the Medieval Tower to the
world treasures of the Chester Beatty Library and from the Viking Defence
Bank to the splendid State Apartments.

Ballyseede Castle
Ballyseede Castle, one of the best-known castle hotels in Ireland, has a
history dating back to the 1590s. Set in thirty acres of native woodland,
Ballyseede Castle has been wonderfully transformed into a luxury hotel.

Ballyseede Castle, set in the heart of Kerry, offers you the chance to
appreciate history, while relaxing and enjoying a break from hectic life.
Come and hear the stories, sample the fine cuisine and enjoy the 'craic' in
the heart of Kerry, Ireland. County Kerry, traditionally known as "the
kingdom", is situated in the extreme southwest of Ireland.

The entrance is a broad flight of steps, flanked by two lions. Inside the
lobby, Doric columns lead to an elegant wooden staircase of fine oak joinery,
which is almost unique in Ireland. The 23 luxurious bedrooms have been
refurbished and are individually decorated with a perfect combination of
taste and imagination.

This is Author, Mr. Higgins, and Einstein the castle dogs.

Works Cited

"WelcometoKilronanCastleEstateandSpa."
CastleHotelsIreland,CastleHotel
Roscommon
Ireland,CastleHotelsInIreland
.N.p.,n.d.Web.15Apr.2015.

"DublinCastle."
:Location/Maps
.N.p.,n.d.Web.15Apr.2015.

"HeritageIreland."
:DublinCastle
.N.p.,n.d.Web.15Apr.2015.

"SearchforCastleAccommodationinIreland."
CelticCastles
.N.p.,n.d.Web.15Apr.2015.
http://www.dublincastle.ie/LocationMaps/

http://www.kilronancastle.ie/

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/Dublin/DublinCastle/

http://www.blarneycastle.ie/

http://hcgi.ie/