Irish Scenery- King John’s Castle(Limerick)

King John’s Castle is located in Limerick City, Ireland, next to River Shannon which is the biggest river in Ireland. It was firstly built by the Viking sea-king in 922. I went there this summer. The castle has a really good view of Limerick city and River Shannon.

Overview of the castle and River Shannon

The entrance of the castle, some people are sitting on the cannon.

The weapon made by wood. It looks like a little bit fragile, doesn’t it?

Oven and stools

The shooting hole. Soldiers can fire arrows from there.

Bird’s-eye views of the castle and Limerick city.

River Shannon

Formidable watchtower

The man making coins

Gun and power

Some introduction about the castle from Wikipedia.

The Viking sea-king, Thormodr Helgason, built the first permanent Viking stronghold on Inis Sibhtonn (King’s Island) in 922. He used the base to raid the length of the River Shannon from Lough Derg to Lough Ree, pillaging ecclesiastical settlements. In 937 the Limerick Vikings clashed with those of Dublin on Lough Ree and were defeated. In 943 they were defeated again when the chief of the local Dalcassian clan joined with Ceallachan, king of Munster and the Limerick Vikings were forced to pay tribute to the clans. The power of the Vikings never recovered, and they reduced to the level of a minor clan, however often playing pivotal parts in the endless power struggles of the next few centuries.

The arrival of the Anglo-Normans to the area in 1172 changed everything. Domhnall Mor O’Brien burned the city to the ground in 1174 in a bid to keep it from the hands of the new invaders. The Anglo-Normans finally captured the area in 1195, under John, Lord of Ireland. In 1197 local legend claims Limerick was given its first charter and its first Mayor, Adam Sarvant. A castle, built on the orders of King John and bearing his name, was completed around 1200.

More introduction please see the link: Wikipedia.

Resource: www.joehe.com

Irish scenery--Cahir Castle, Co Tipperay

,Cahir castle is located in middle of Ireland. It is one of largest castles in Ireland. I used to travel between Waterford and Thurles (Co. Tipperary) by bus every weekend. There is no direct bus from Waterford to Thurles, I have to stop at Cahir to change bus. The bus station is right beside the Cahir castle. So I got chance to take deep look at the castle. I really like the castle. The thick and grey wall of the castle really seems to tell you that many stories happened there. The following history comes from Wikipedia:
The castle was built in County Tipperary in 1142 on an island in the river Suir by Conor O'Brien who is the Prince of Thomond. In 1375, the castle was granted to James Butler, newly-created Baron of Cahir, for his loyalty to Edward III. The Butlers of Cahir sided with the Irish in the Elizabethan wars, and in 1599 the castle was captured after a three day siege by the army of the Earl of Essex and was for a year put under the charge of Sir Charles Blount.
During the Irish Confederate Wars the castle was besieged twice. In 1647 George Mathew, the guardian of the young Lord Cahir, surrendered to Lord Inchiquin following his victory at the battle of Knocknanauss. In 1650 he surrendered again to Oliver Cromwell, during his conquest of Ireland without a shot even being fired.
The Great Hall was partly rebuilt in 1840.
In 1961 the last Lord Cahir died and the castle reverted to the state.