Tales of Irish Castles
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.
- 2014-2014
- 1 season
- Documentary
- TV-PG
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.
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2014
Episode 1
The Normans are Coming
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
Don't Mess with a Knight
41 mins
Documenting the expansion of Norman castle building throughout the 13th and 14th centuries.
Episode 3
The Fightback
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
A Century of Turmoil
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
A Taste for Gothic
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
End of Empire
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.