Castles of Britain & Ireland
Britain and Ireland are among the world’s greatest castle-building nations. Situated around the vulnerable coastline to defend Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England from seaborne invasion or commanding strategic inland positions to control the populace, castles exist throughout the country.
Serving as both private residences and military strongholds, many castles were built from earth and timber or developed into complex stone fortresses that dominated the landscape. Even in ruin, they inspire respect and appreciation for the harshness of medieval life. (Medieval Life — Health)
Transcending Time
The great castles of Britain and Ireland testify to changing times, changing values and the changes forged by conquest and migration. They survive in towns and on hilltops, in cities and on farmland. Whether ruined or occupied, built from earth and timber or rubble, each offers a unique connection to real people, people who lived, laboured and died in their shadow. Exploring the great castles of Britain and Ireland allows us to reconnect physically with the past, and to gain insight into the present. Majestic monuments and humble mounds, each played a role no tonly in influencing the history of Britain and Ireland, but also in shaping world history. That they survive is a tribute to the men who designed and built them and also to the hardiness and fortitude of the men, women and children who occupied them and the peasantry who supported them. They also reflect the magnitude of the threat posed by local populations intent on regaining their freedom.
Even in ruin, castles exude a timelessness that inspires awe and binds past and present. The stones and earthen mounds truly have their own stories to tell. If we listen, we will discover not only the heritage of Britain and Ireland, but also the lessons of history.
Great Castles of Britain And Ireland
Great Castles of England
Carlisle Castle
Bamburgh Castle
Alnwick Castle
Warkworth Castle
Conisbrough Castle
Castle Rising
Kenilworth Castle
Warwick Castle
Goodrich Castle
Berkeley Castle
Windsor Castle
Tower of London
Rochester Castle
Dover Castle
Bodiam Castle
Arundel Castle
Corfe Castle
Restormel Castle
Great Castles of Scotland
Threave Castle
Caelaverock Castle
Hermitage Castle
Edinburgh Castle
Stirling Castle
Bothwell Castle
Rothesay Castle
Glamis Castle
Dunnottar Castle
Urquhart Castle
Eilean Donan Castle
Dunvegan Castle
Great Castles of Wales
White Castle
Raglan Castle
Chepstow Castle
Caephilly Castle
Kidwelly Castle
Pembroke Castle
Harlech Castle
Dolwyddelan Castle
Caernafon Castle
Beaumaris Castle
Conwy Castle
Rhuddlan Castle
Great Castles of Ireland
Carrickfergus Castle
Roscommon Castle
Trim Castle
Bunratty Castle
Limerick Castle
Rock of Cashel
Kilkenny Castle
Cahir Castle
