Roscommon Castle

Welcome to Roscommon Castle, arguably the finest example of thirteenth-century Anglo-Norman military architecture in Ireland. As you stand before these towering gray stone walls, you are looking at a royal fortress—not just the…

Your journey begins at the massive eastern entrance, the twin-towered gatehouse. In the late thirteenth century, this was the most important building in the castle complex. …

Step into the large, open grassland of the inner ward. Today, it is a peaceful spot for photography, but in the 1270s, this was a buzzing hive of military and domestic activity. …

Walk toward the North-West tower, which offers a unique lesson in architectural history. Detailed analysis reveals that while the other towers have three floors dating to the thirteenth century, this tower originally only had two. …

One of the most fascinating aspects of Roscommon Castle is the evidence of 'high-end' living. Look for the 'squint arches' or chutes on the outside of the towers—these are the issue points for the medieval garderobes, or toilets. …

To the east and north of the main castle walls lies a flat area that once held a magnificent Renaissance garden. Sir Nicholas Malby filled in the old medieval ditches here to create a space of order and civilization. …

As you walk toward the western side of the castle, look out over the marshes of Loughnaneane Park. Until about 1800, a large lake covered this entire area, reaching right up to the castle walls. …

As you finish your walk around the dramatic ruins of Roscommon Castle, take a moment to stand in the center of the ward and look up at the empty windows and jagged towers. You have traveled through seven centuries of history,…