Castleready, Kilberry, Co. Kildare
Standing on a slight rise in the eastern limits of what may have been a fortified settlement, the ruins of Castlereedy Castle tell a story of medieval Kildare that stretches back to the 14th century.
Castleready, Kilberry, Co. Kildare
Historical records from 1892 note that the Le Rede family held this castle during that period, lending their name to what would become a lasting landmark in the countryside near Kilberry. Today, only fragments of this once imposing structure remain, with ivy creeping over the weathered limestone walls that have endured centuries of Irish weather.
The castle’s rectangular footprint can still be traced, measuring approximately 12 metres north to south and 8 metres east to west, though much of the structure has collapsed to first floor level. The walls, built from unbattered rubble limestone masonry and averaging 1.3 metres thick, show the typical construction methods of medieval Irish tower houses. The most intact feature is a small garderobe tower projecting from the northwest corner, which remarkably survives to three storeys and was originally accessed via stairs built into the northern gable wall. Architectural details like the scar lines of a stone vaulted ceiling are still visible on the eastern and western walls, each pierced by splayed loops that once provided light and defensive positions.
The southern end of the castle has fared worst over time, with the entire gable wall collapsed and several large piles of mortared masonry scattered about, including one intriguing piece containing a right angled mural passage. Field stones cleared from the surrounding tillage have been dumped amongst the ruins, adding to the general state of disrepair. Despite its ruinous condition, Castlereedy Castle remains an evocative reminder of the medieval families who once controlled this corner of County Kildare, their fortified home now reduced to ivy clad walls standing quietly in the Irish countryside.