Maynooth Castle, Co. Kildare, Ireland

1. Maynooth Castle

2. The Normans
Lived in Normandy, France and areas of
England and Wales.
Their ancestors were the Vikings
(Norsemen)

3. Why did the Normans come to Ireland?
• Invited to Ireland by Dermot Mc Murragh
• Dermot was the king of Leinster, but was
driven out of his homeland
Dermot Mc Murragh

4. Dermot Mc Murragh in trouble
• He went to King Henry II for help.
• Henry wouldn’t help but wrote him a letter giving
permission for others to help
• Finally, Dermot got Richard de Clare (Strongbow
to help. He made a deal with him.
King Henry II Richard de Clare

5. The Normans arrive
• The Normans landed in Wexford in 1169
• They captured Wexford and Waterford
• Strongbow married Aoife, Dermot’s daughter
• Strongbow became king of Leinster when
Dermot died

6. Normans in battle
Look at the chain mail, and lances.
What advantages did horses bring?

7. Norman life
Norman house Clothes

8. Norman life
Leather shoes Food

9. Maynooth Castle
• In 1176 Strongbow granted the manor of
Maynooth to Maurice Fitzgerald
• Fitzgerald erected a castle for protection against
the native Irish.
• It was most likely a wooden castle at first.
Gradually the Fitzgeralds rebuilt it in stone.

10. Castle defences
• Maynooth Castle was sited between two
rivers. There may have also been a moat
• The guard tower had arrow and crossbow
slits

11. • Murder hole
Castle defences
Drawbridge

12. • Battlements
Castle defences
Machilocations

13. Coat of Arms
Note the monkeys!

14. Garderobe
(Wardrobe and toilet)

15. Castle guard house

16. Ruins of Castle