Site of Castle, Castlemarket, Co. Kilkenny

Site of Castle, Castlemarket, Co. Kilkenny

On the south bank of the Ouveg River in County Kilkenny, there once stood a castle that belonged to the powerful Earls of Ormond.

Site of Castle, Castlemarket, Co. Kilkenny

The fortress occupied a strategic position beside a high moat in a field known locally as “the Kruckawn” or simply “Old Castle”, close to what is now Castlemarket bridge. Like many Irish castles, it served as both a defensive structure and a symbol of Norman and later Anglo-Irish authority in the region.

The castle met its end around 1800, when both it and the adjoining moat were demolished. This destruction wasn’t uncommon during this period; many Irish castles were either abandoned or deliberately destroyed as their military importance waned and landowners found them expensive to maintain. Local historian Carrigan documented the site in 1905, noting its former location and providing one of the few written records of the structure’s existence.



Today, nothing of the castle remains visible at ground level, though the area retains its historical placenames. The site at Castlemarket serves as a reminder of how dramatically the Irish landscape has changed over the centuries, with countless castles, tower houses, and fortifications disappearing into memory and archaeological records. For those interested in tracing Kilkenny’s medieval past, the location offers a glimpse into the county’s complex history of conquest, settlement, and eventual transformation.

0.0/5

Good to Know

Tags

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Site of Castle, Castlemarket, Co. Kilkenny. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 50 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.
Castlemarket, Co. Kilkenny
52.85283159, -7.3239325
52.85283159,-7.3239325
Castlemarket 
Masonry Castles 

Related Places