Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
6 Episodes 2014 - 2014
Episode 1
43 mins
Documents 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.
Episode 2
41 mins
Documenting the expansion of Norman castle building throughout the 13th and 14th centuries.
Episode 3
42 mins
The haunted castle in Leap; the first castle to be besieged by cannon fire in Maynooth; love story of Dunluce and Clonony Castle.
Episode 4
45 mins
With 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.
Episode 5
44 mins
With the advent of the cannon in the 18th and 19th centuries, castles such as Tullynally morphed from military strongholds into lordly family homes.
Episode 6
43 mins
Wrapping up the series Simon reflects on how we should view these important buildings today not just as part of our heritage also a vital part of history as he explores the state of Ireland and its castles during the 19th and 20th centuries. Followed by the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and then the Civil War in the early decades of the 20th century, some of Ireland's most prestigious and historical castles were mostly abandoned or destroyed.