The castles of Ireland are an essential part of the story of medieval Europe, but were, until recently, a subject neglected by scholars. A lord's power and prestige was displayed in the majesty and uniqueness of his castle. The remains of several thousand castles enable us to reconstruct life in Ireland during these crucial centuries.
Castles in Ireland tells the story of the nature and development of lordship and power in medieval Ireland. Ireland formed the setting to the interplay of the differing roles of competing lordships: English and Irish; feudal European and Gaelic;...

The castles of Ireland are all part of the story of medieval Europe. The remains of several thousand castles shed a light on the experiences of Ireland during these centuries. As objects meant to display their lord's power and prestige, castles had to be impressive, and uniformity denied that. The author of this volume weaves evidence from the castles into the story of the nature and development of lordship and power in medieval Ireland. The physical remains of the castles reflect the different roles of the competing lordships: English and Irish; feudal and Gaelic; royal and baronial. He...