THE HISTORY OF DUNDRUM CASTLE

THE NORMANS

When the Normans arrived in 1169, a series of fortifications were built around Dublin. A castle was built in Dundrum as part of this series of outer fortifications around the 13th century.

1590

Later in 1590, a newer castle was built by Richard

Fitzwilliam as part of a strategic line of castles within the Pale. The original village clustered around Dundrum Castle and was considered a rural defensive outpost against assaults and raids from Irish tribes and families such as the O'Tooles and the O'Byrnes.

1619

In 1619, a relation, William FitzWilliam 3rd Vscount FitzWilliam was granted the castle in recognition of his bravery and courage while defending against these assaults but was driven out in 1642.

1646

He returned by 1646 but left again, never to return, in 1653. His family held onto the Fitzwilliam seat until 1790.

TODAY

The castle was never reoccupied and exists today as ruins overlooking the Dundrum Bypass and the new shopping centre.