Desmond Hall and Castle, also called Desmond Castle and Banqueting HallorNewcastle West Medieval Complex and Desmond Hall, are a set of medieval buildings and National Monuments located in Newcastle West, Ireland.[1] For over 200 years, it belonged to the Fitzgerald family, Earls of Desmond.
View of Desmond CastleCastle buildings overlooking the River Ara
A castle was built in the 13th century by the FitzGerald Earls of Desmond. Local folklore also connects it with the Knights Templar, perhaps confusing them with their house at Askeaton.
By 1298, the castle had curtain walls and defensive towers surrounding the complex, with thatched houses, cattle byres and fishponds in the centre.[3] Newcastle West was sacked in 1302 and destroyed in 1315.[4] The present structure dates to the 15th century, with the hall and chamber built on the site of the earlier structure, and used for banqueting and entertainment.[citation needed]
In the 17th and 18th century the castle was occupied by the Mahony family, while the Courtenay Earls of Devon lived in Courtenay Castle; much of what had survived of the Desmond Castle was demolished in the 18th century to make room for Courtenay Castle. The banqueting hall was restored in early 19th century, a replacement fireplace being found in Kilmallock. By the 19th century, the Earl of Devon's agent Charles Curling was living in Courtenay Castle, and the Curlings bought Desmond Castle in 1910. It was burned down on 8 August 1922 during the Irish Civil War.[citation needed]
It was owned by the Curlings until the 1940s.[6] Later, it was used as a Masonic hall and as a cinema.[7]
A spacious medieval hall of two storeys, with a vaulted lower chamber and adjoining tower. Restored medieval features include an oak minstrels' gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.[13][14][15]
