Black Castle, County Wicklow
Photo © davida3, 16 July 206
Black Castle, County Wicklow
Photo © Eirian Evans, 14 October 2009
Black Castle, County Wicklow Photo © davida3, 16 July 206 |
Black Castle, County Wicklow Photo © Eirian Evans, 14 October 2009 |
The Black Castle ruin stands on a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, at the eastern side of Wicklow. The Vikings were extremely active in the Wicklow Town area from around 795 and in 834 they fortified a strategic rocky promontory at the mouth of the Vartry River in Wicklow town. A castle was subsequently built now known as the Black Castle. There is no mention of the Castle in recorded history until 1174, following the Norman invasion. Between 1295 and 1315 the Castle was attacked and burnt down twice by the local O' Byrne Clan.
--BLACK CASTLE, WICKLOW
The O'Carroll's stronghold, called the "Black Castle," stood some sixty yards north-west of the present building on the high bank of the river. The principal tower was raised on an artificial mound, and in 1627 Sir Laurence Parsons added a watch tower, which stood on thirteen corbels, projecting on the outside, and was higher than all the other buildings. The dungeon of the stronghold was situated in the Black Castle, but this older fortress has long since been demolished.
In 1620-21 Sir Laurence Parsons made a great many additions to the castle. He erected a tower 46 feet long and 25 feet broad, at each end of which an arch of hewn stone gave entrance to the fortress. The present hall, which is reached by a flight of stone steps under a vaulted vestibule, is the centre part of this tower, as it is also that of the present mansion.
In the following two years Sir Laurence also built a porter's lodge, known as the "Garden House," fitted up a drawing-room and made a garden and orchard. In 1624 he built a new line of offices, which formed one side of the courtyard, and in which was a kitchen, &c. Another side of the enclosure was occupied by the stables, which extended along the river, south of the Black Castle. On the north was a double wall filled up with earth, and having a gateway in the centre.
The castle was enlarged and remodelled under the direction of Mr. J. Johnstone, architect, who altered the entrance to the back of the building, away from the town. Sir Laurence Parsons had also added a "French Flanker" in 1627, but on what site is not known.
CASTLES OF IRELAND - SOME FORTRESS HISTORIES AND LEGENDS BY C. L. ADAMS 1904--