Why Ireland has so many castles?

The castles of Ireland weren't built for royalty or for ostentatious reasons but rather as fortified homes of Ireland's chieftains or Anglo-Norman settlers. Their thick walls and ramparts were built for defense. Many of these castles are medieval in origin, dating from the 11th to the 15th century.



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History of the Irish Castle Instead they were fortified homes for chieftains, or Anglo Norman settlers and were designed primarily for defence. Many of these castles are medieval in origin, dating from the 11th to the 15th century.

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Ireland has more than 30,000 castles and castle ruins known, whereas Scotland has just over 2,000.

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Due to Ireland being a place that was constantly war torn for centuries castles were constantly built, destroyed and then rebuilt. Ireland is also slightly less mountainous than Scotland so there was more land suitable for castle building.

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Many castles found their demise after the Cromwellian invasion of Ireland. Cromwell's policy was to destroy the battlements of castles which of course were crucial to their defence, as well as the spiral staircases. With both of those actions, the castle was rendered useless.

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Although at one point it is believed there were over 10,000 castles in the current territory of Spain today about 2000 castles still exist and the number of the ones that can be visited is far less.

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Wales. While Germany may have the most amount of castles, Wales is the country with the most castles per square mile. Despite its small size, Wales had over 600 castles. Today over 400 castles still stand and are waiting to be explored by visitors.

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Converted into a donjon around 950, Château de Doué-la-Fontaine in France is the oldest standing castle in Europe.

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Located in Poland, Malbork Castle is the largest castle in the world. The castle was founded in 1274 by the Teutonic Knights who used it as their headquarters to help defeat Polish enemies and rule their own northern Baltic territories.

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Europe is famous for its abundance of castles, many dating back to medieval times. With so many neighbouring nations, as well as the turbulent history of the last 1000 years, European countries needed to defend their territories and protect their people.

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This is a little known fact; Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. Wales' history has left a landscape scattered with Iron Age hill forts, Roman ruins and castles from Medieval Welsh princes and English kings.

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Whilst the exact number is not known, experts have estimated that Germany is home to over 20.000 castles. From castles that look like they come straight out of a fairy tale to medieval fortresses with moats, Germany features some of Europe's most impressive castles and palaces.

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The leaders of the states and territories within the Empire built castles to control their areas, for defence, and as centre of administration. Castles were a symbol of power! Castles in Germany were often built at strategic points, on top of a mountain, or at a place to protect an important trading route.

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Ireland is known for its castles. The Normans built most of the castles in Ireland between the 11th and 15th century. Some of the castles are still in tact and found new purpose such as Smarmore Castle. There are tens of thousands of castles spread over Ireland, most of them are ruins, but still worth a visit.

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Hermit's Castle, often referred to as Europe's smallest castle, stands as a testament to architectural ingenuity. Built in 1950 by English architect David Scott, it defies traditional castle conventions.

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Castle Drogo is a country house and mixed-revivalist castle near Drewsteignton, Devon, England. Constructed between 1911 and 1930, it was the last castle to be built in England. The client was Julius Drewe, the hugely successful founder of the Home and Colonial Stores.

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The Citadel of Aleppo in Syria is often named the oldest castle in the world. Locals used the site already in the 3rd century, but the current citadel was probably built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

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Wales is often called 'the land of castles' – there are 427 of them! If you visit Wales you're almost certain to see one. If you live here you're probably familiar with quite a few.

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Molly's Lodge, is a Grade II* Listed castle, it forms part of a 0.61 acre plot and it's located near the village of Long Compton, in Warwickshire, in England.

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