Ross Castle - Caisleán Rois

Ross Castle (Irish: Caisleán an Rois) is a 15th-century tower house and keep built, it is thought, by Irish chieftain O’Donoghue Mór in the 15th century. It is located on the edge of Lough Leane (Irish Loch Léin) in Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland (Irish: Irish: Páirc Náisiúnta Chill Airne, Contae Chiarraí, Éire). Ross Castle can be reached via a signposted right turn off the N71 road travelling south about two miles from the town of Killarney (Irish:Cill Airne). 

The castle was amongst the last to surrender to Oliver Cromwell's forces during the Irish Confederate Wars also called the Eleven Years' War (Irish: Cogadh na hAon-déag mBliana). This took place in Ireland between 1641 and 1653. The war was the attempt by Irish Catholics to end to anti-Catholic discrimination, gain greater Irish self-governance, and to roll back the Plantations of Ireland. Ross Castle as seen today has much of the original structure in place. A square tower house with overhanging turrets and surrounded by a defensive wall. Two of the original defensive round towers stand. Within the castle are 16th and 17th oak furniture. Guided tours of the caste are available details on the Heritage Ireland website. 

Image: Ross Castle engraved by Samuel Aitken after artwork by Thomas Walmsley published in 1796.

Link: Heritage Ireland - Ross Castle.