Cahir Castle - A Medieval Wonder!

In Photos 

By Ben Kesp 

Cahir Castle is an imposing fortification of stone sitting on the river Suir, in the town of Cahir, Co. Tipperary, Ireland. This completely restored castle was built from 1142 by Prince of Thomand, Conor O’Brien. The castle moved from the hands of the O’Briens to James Butler, Earl of Ormond in the late 14th century and the Butler family expanded the castle and grounds. In 1542 the Barons Cahir, a branch of the Butler dynasty, was created and they stood on the side of the Roman Catholic Irish and as a result were the target of the English. 

Cahir Castle was besieged many times; in 1599 after three days siege it was captured by the Earl of Essex; During the Irish Confederate Wars (1641-1653 – a series of civil wars between the kingdoms of Ireland, England and Scotland) Cahir Castle was besieged twice. 

The last Lord Cahir of Cahir Castle died in 1961 and today the castle and grounds are open to the public with an excellent audio-visual experience showing the long history of the castle including its use in the filming of tv shows like The Tudors and Excalibur. A beautiful place to visit and while you are there do not forget to take a walk by the river edge from the castle to the Swiss Cottage built in 1810 for the 1st Earl of Glengall, Richard Butler and his wife, Emily, Lord and Lady Cahir and just a short distance from the town of Cahir is the Rock of Cashel, the site of a magnificent 13th century cathedral that would rival any of the fine European cathedrals today. 

For more information on the castle check out its website below: 

Cahir Castle