Listowel Castle, located right in the centre of Listowel town, is a partially restored 15th Century castle with a fascinating history:
The castle was built in the 1400's by the Fitzmaurice's – a powerful Norman family. The Fitzmaurices were cousins of the Fitzgeralds, the 'Earls of Desmond', who ruled almost the whole province of Munster in South West Ireland.
The Fitzgeralds and the Fitzmaurices led several rebellions against the English Crown in the 1500's and their castles, lands and property were eventually confiscated. At the time of the Battle of Kinsale - 1601, Listowel Castle was attacked by an English army under the command of Sir Charles Wilmott.
The Fitzmaurice's had 18 soldiers at Listowel who defended the castle for a whole month before surrendering to the attacking English army who threathened to blow it up using gun powder.
As well as learning about the history of Listowel Castle itself, visitors will also hear about life in an Irish castle, society in late medieval Ireland, how people defended themselves and how they lived.
You can visit Listowel Castle's webpage at Listowel Castle, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry
Or e-mail them by clicking here
The castle will be open 7 days a week from 22nd May to 3 September 2014.