Carbury Castle, County Kildare

Carbury Castle is a castle situated in the townland of Carbury, on the borders of Kildare and Offaly. The area is dominated by the ruins of this great Tudor mansion set atop Carbury Hill, which was also known as Fairy Hill. The motte on the hill was probably built by Meiler FitzHenry who was granted the area by Strongbow. It was acquired by the de Berminghams in the 14th century, before being taken by the native Irish in the 15th century. In 1588 it was granted to the Colley family, ancestors of the Dukes of Wellington, who built a large stronghouse in the 17th century.

Carbury Castle
TypeMotte and Bailey
Site information
OwnerBermingham
Open to
the public		Yes
ConditionRuined
Site history
Builtbefore 1220
Built byMeiler FitzHenry
In useUntil 1600s
MaterialsLimestone
Window detail

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History

The Castle was first built by the Normans and the motte on the hill was probably built by Meiler FitzHenry. The central scenic focus of Carbury Hill is the ruins of the Tudor mansion of the Colleys, which was also known as Fairy Hill.[1] who was granted the area by Strongbow. It was acquired by the de Berminghams in the 14th century, from whom it passed by inheritance to the Preston family, who held the title Baron Gormanston, before being taken by the native Irish in the 15th century. The 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, John Talbot, later also Earl of Wexford, Earl of Waterford and Baron of Dungarvan, rebuilt Carbury Castle sometime after 1429-1447.[2]

From 23 October 1554 a 21-year lease was granted to Sir Henry Colley(the patrilineal ancestor of the Dukes of Wellington);[3] this was renewed, and the Colley family built a large stronghouse on the hilltop in the 17th century, now a ruin.[4]

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References
  1. "County Kildare towns - Carbury". Go Ireland.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-17. Retrieved 2007-09-14.
  2. Dublin, 1789, Moore: Archdall and Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland, pp.120-122
  3. Fiant no.53, Philip & Mary, cited in Appendix IV, 9th Report of the Deputy Keeper of Public Records in Ireland.
  4. "Carbury Castle, County Kildare". Look Around Ireland. Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-09-14.

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