Castleknock Castle
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Castleknock Castle is the ruins of a Norman castle in the grounds of Castleknock College in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland.
The Fort of Cnucha has a long history and is also steeped with legend. The current castle ruins has a history dating back to the Tyrrells of the 12th century who were the first Barons of Castleknock. The first Baron, Hugh Tyrrell chose this site. What remains of the ruins now is part of a polygonal shaped keep. This is surrounded my many trees so from a distance the ruins are seldom visible except in winter. The mound it stands on is far earlier than the present Norman structure. There is also a mote constructed around the castle on the mound. The earliest still existing artistic drawing of the castle by Francis Place also shows it in ruins, but clearly far more complete than the present.
The castle was partially dismantled after the civil war of 1641 when considerable damage had been done to the castle. It was also the last rallying point for the forces of the last High King of Ireland, Rory O'Connor, in his vain attempt to drive the Gall from the village of Dublin in 1171. It has been used in more recent times primarily as the burial ground for Vincentian priests.
There is also a small mound to the west of Castleknock College buildings known as Windmill Hill. There was never a windmill here and the structure upon it (now a water tower) is much more recent, having been built as an observatory by a Mr Guinn who was once an owner of the estate.
[edit] Trivia
The castle and indeed the grounds of Castleknock College is said to be haunted by a ghost of Eibhleen O'Byrne. She was the daughter of a native Irish Chieftain of Wicklow named O'Toole and was imprisoned in the castle turret by Roger Tyrrell, one of the barons of Castleknock. Fearing his violence she committed suicide by opening a vein in her neck with a broach pin. She is known as the White Lady of Castleknock. She is believed to roam the castle at midnight robed in white. [1][2]
There is some evidence in ancient documentation, that the larger mound upon where the castle ruins are, served as the burial place for Cumhal, leader of the Fianna of Leinster who died in battle in AD 190. This has never been proven however.
It was reported in the Dublin Penny Journal in 1834 that Windmill Hill, the smaller mound in the estate was excavated by its previous owned (prior to the aforementioned Mr Guinn) and it has been documented that a flight of steps lead to a vault was found. It was also noted that the excavation was abandoned due to fear of the labourers of Morrishtac, a Danish king believed to be 'sleeping' there under a curse bestowed by St. Patrick. At the time there was a belief that a large sum of money was buried in the hill.
[edit] External links
- History of Castleknock
- Excerpt from book on Castleknock by Jim Lacey
- Fort of Cnucha and its Successors
[edit] Books
- Blanchardstown, Castleknock and the Park, Dónal MacPolin and Peter Sobolewski (Cottage Publications, 2001) ISBN 1-900935-22-8
- Cnucha: A history of Castleknock and district, James O'Driscoll (1977, Privately Issued)
