Tyrrellspass Castle

An oak beam supporting the ceiling in one of the original ground floor rooms in Tyrrellspass Castle was carbon dated to c. 1411.  The tree from which the beam was hewn was 200 years old so we can assume that the castle was built in the early 15^th century.  Some 300 years before its construction the Tyrrells arrived in Ireland with the Norman invaders.  Hugh de Lacy a powerful Norman Knight was granted the Provence of Meath which stretched from The Shannon to the east coast.  In order to control and colonise these lands he granted baronies to other loyal Norman Knights.  The Tyrrells we granted the Barony of Fartullagh and set about taking possession from the native Gaelic Families. They first built temporary Motte and Bailey castles consisting of a large Mound or Motte making use of local quarried materials.  The Motte had a wooden tower on top and stretching from the base they constructed a Bailey or platform, which in turn was surrounded by a wooden Palisade or wooden fence.  Evidence of these first fortifications can still be seen in some of the surrounding villages and countryside.  The Motte and Bailey in Rochfortbridge at Castlelost was the first Tyrrell stronghold.  Other examples can be seen in Moate, Castletown Geoghegan and Rahugh.  Over the centuries these temporary strongholds were replaced by more permanent stone buildings.  The last remaining intact Tyrrell castle  or towerhouse is Tyrrellspass Castle.  It remained in Tyrrell control until the Cromwellian Plantation. The structure survived while the occupants were slaughtered.