2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 1646
He returned by 1646 but left again, never to return, in
1653. His family held onto the Fitzwilliam seat until 1790.
6. TODAY
The castle was never reoccupied and exists today as ruins
overlooking the Dundrum Bypass and the new shopping
centre.
