03. An Caisleán

An Caisleán

Rinne Richard de Burgo an caisleán sa bhliain 1236 agus d’fhás an baile mór timpeall ar an gcaisleán. D’fhéadfadh go ndearna sé caisleán móta agus bábhúin sealadach as adhmad ar dtús. Ba mhinic leis na Normannaigh caisleán den chineál sin a dhéanamh go luath éasca agus caisleán cloiche ba dhaingne ná an chéad cheann sin a chur ina ionad nuair a bhí bun maith fúthu sa cheantar. Níltear cinnte cá mbíodh an caisleán seo; chaithfeadh sé go mbíodh sé cóngarach don áit a bhfuil Sráid an Chaisleáin, ó ba é an príomhchaisleán é ag Iarla Chonnacht, duine de na Tiarnaí Normannacha ba thréine sa tír. Chaithfeadh sé go raibh caisleán ard daingean ann, léiriú ar an stádas ard a bhí ag fear an chaisleáin.

The Castle

Richard de Burgo built his castle in 1236 and the town grew around the castle. It is possible that he built a temporary wooden motte & bailey castle at first. The Normans usually built these types of castles quickly and then replaced them with stronger stone castles when they became settled in an area. We are not certain where the castle was; it must have been in the vicinity of Castle Street, as it was the main castle of the Earl of Connacht; one of the most powerful Norman Lords in Ireland. It must have been a strong impressive building to display the high status of its owner.