Tales of Irish Castles

Season 1

The history of Irish castles throughout history. A terrific look at the majestic history of Ireland presented with the gifted storyteller style you would expect from the Irish perspective.

6 Episodes

  • Norman Castles
    E1
    Norman CastlesDocuments the political state of Ireland in the 12th century, leading to the invasion of the Normans in 1169. The Normans introduced the concept of castle building to Ireland and before long castles began to spring up throughout the country, in particular along the more populated east coast.
  • Don’t Mess with a Knight
    E2
    Don’t Mess with a KnightWhat have the Normans ever done for us? Simon Delaney salutes the Norman knights who led a castle building spree in Eire during the 13th and 14th centuries.
  • The Fightback
    E3
    The FightbackAn educational journey around Ireland's fortresses. As Irish clans resisted Anglo-Norman settlers in the 1400s and 1500s, a new type of castle emerged: the tower house.
  • A Century Of Turmoil
    E4
    A Century Of TurmoilWith the confederate and Cromwellian wars of the 1640s and 1650s followed by the Williamite wars in the 1680s and 1690s, Irish castles played key roles throughout the 17th century and this program documents some of the most affected and important strongholds during this period like the strategic military castles in Limerick, Birr, Kilkenny, Athlone and finally the ruins of Aughrim Castle - scene of the bloodiest battle on Irish soil.
  • A Taste for Gothic
    E5
    A Taste for GothicWith the advent of the cannon in the 18th and 19th centuries, castles such as Tullynally morphed from military strongholds into lordly family homes.
  • End of Empire
    E6
    End of EmpireAs political and social unrest swept Ireland in the 20th century, debt-ridden castles fell into disrepair and into the hands of the nouveau riche.

 

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