Ross Castle

Ross Castle (Irish Caisleán to Rois ) is a fortification in Ireland. It is located not far from Killarney on a peninsula on the eastern shore of Lough Leane, the largest of the three lakes in Killarney National Park, and was the ancestral home of the O'Donoghue clan. Ross Castle is equipped with furniture and furnishings from the 16th and 17th century and a popular destination for tourists.

History

Ross Castle is considered to be typical of a medieval castle Irish clan leader on the now connected to the mainland island Ross Iceland. The exact date of origin of the fort is unknown, but one suspects that a member of the O'Donoghue Ross Castle was built in the late 15th century. Ross Castle was the last stronghold in Ireland, the Oliver Cromwell resisted during the Irish Konföderationskriege. However, it was found before it came to a fight. 1583 lost the O'Donoghues their lands to the English crown. Ross Castle went to Donal McCarthy Mor, who mortgaged it to Sir Valentine Browne, who eventually became owner. After the withdrawal of troops (see below) in 1825 fell into the Castle rapidly, partly because the then owner Lord Kenmare was break down the roof to save on taxes. After several changes of ownership Ross Castle in 1979 the property of the Republic of Ireland. Since then it has been completely restored, where value was placed on fidelity. The Castle is from the lakeshore of accessible and today starting point for boat trips to two small islands in Lough Leane, on which the remains of medieval monasteries (including Innisfallen Abbey ) can be found.

Architecture

The actual fort stands in a courtyard, which is secured by intermediate walls and towers. From the round towers are preserved two more today. Occupy the small windows and the narrow, irregular spiral staircases that Ross Castle was designed primarily to defense to. As a barracks was added to the fort in the 18th century, was a big part of the original courtyard lost. The building structure was severely affected by the cultivation affected. The troops were withdrawn in 1825 again.