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Trim Castle
When you approach the massive outer wall with eight towers and a gatehouse of Trim Castle you might experience a deja vue. Unless you consider reincarnation a serious option, you probably have seen Trim Castle in the movie Braveheart.
The construction of Trim Castle started in 1172, two years after the Anglo-Norman Invasion. The motte and timber tower built by Hugh de Lacy was the first Anglo-Norman fortification outside The Pale and was a threat for Roderic Rory O'Connor, then King of Connacht. Soon after its completion the timber tower was destroyed by fire. It is unknown who actually lit the fire, the warden of the fort, Hugh Tyrell, or O'Connor's army.
Around 1200 the construction of the castle as it is today began and in 1224 the first stage reached its completion. Although it is not sure who built what and when it is assumed that the core of the isolated and well defended keep on the motte is built by Hugh de Lacey's son Walter. Under Hugh de Lacey's grandson in law, Geoffrey de Geneville, the castle was enlarged and improved with the characteristic outer wall, towers and gates. Probably he also constructed the towers projecting from the middle of each face of the keep. Seemingly these thinner walled towers were not added for defensive purposes, but for cosmetic reasons or just to increase the living space.
Once the castle was complete Geoffrey de Geneville became a monk and founded an abbey just outside the castle premises.
Trim Castle
(authors collection)
Not particular unique for a castle, but nevertheless nice to experience, is the so-called murder-hole in the Athboy, or Town, Gate. If an unwanted visitor approached the closed gate he was likely to find the way back blocked by a portcullis and through a hole in the ceiling he was bombarded with boiling oil, stones, excreta or whatever was on hand. Carrickfergus Castle is also equipped with this highly effective feature.
Among the visitors of the castle was Henry of Lancaster who was imprisoned in 1399 by his cousin King Richard II and held in the Dublin Gate of Trim Castle. Henry of Lancaster was lucky. He left Trim Castle alive and would become King Henry IV later on. The ten head-less corpses found just outside the keep belonged to less lucky visitors. Probably this are remains of victims of an order given by King Edward IV in 1465 that robbers had to be beheaded and their heads should be exposed on spikes.
Until the fifteenth century the Royal Mint was located in Trim Castle.
Trim Castle changed hands several times in history. Like many castles Trim Castle was severely damaged by Cromwell's troops in 1649 during the Confederate War.
After extensive renovations Trim Castle is open for public since 2000 and has become one of the must-see sites of Ireland. Despite pressure from Trim's tourist industry the opening hours are limited to the weekends from November until Easter.
Trim
After visiting Trim Castle you might as well spend some hours in the nice buzzing market town Trim. The tourist information office can provide you with a map of the town and the surrounding area.
Worthwhile is a relaxing round walk on the banks of the River Boyne which starts at Trim Castle. Go across the River Boyne over the timber Millennium Bridge and walk in the direction of the belfry tower in front of you. This belfry tower, locally known as Yellow Steeple, is a remnant of the Abbey of Saint Mary. The abbey itself is gone, although it is believed that the basement of Talbot Castle contains some of its remnants.
Continue your walk by passing the Sheep's Gate until you reach the main road. Depending on the weather conditions you have now two options to proceed to Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. If the pasture is swampy we suggest you turn right on the main road and take the first road left. In better conditions you just follow the River Boyne to the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, which was once the largest Gothic cathedral of Ireland.
Continue your stroll by crossing the River Boyne to the ruins of Hospital of Saint John the Baptist. Just follow the road and turn right at the junction to return to the town centre.