139g. Desmond Castle, Kinsale

SCENES from IRELAND - County Cork

Desmond castle was built as the Customs House for Kinsale about the year 1500 by Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond, following the grant of the customs of the port of Kinsale to the Earls of Desmond by King Henry VII in 1497.   Perhaps there was an earlier structure on the site as the 1st Earl was Captain of Desmond Castle? Desmond Castle, Kinsale was used as a Customs House until 1641 when it was converted into a naval prison, following the construction of a new Customs House. It was a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries - the prisoners kept in Desmond Castle, Kinsale were in the main French and Spanish, and the building became known locally as the "French Prison"  In 1791, the castle was donated by James Kearney MP to the town of Kinsale, and it was subsequently used as a town gaol till 1846, and during the Irish Famine as a workhouse.  In 1938, it was taken into government hands, and in the 1990s was restored and opened to the public by the Office of Public Works.  In 1997, the International Museum of Wine, which details the links between Ireland was opened.

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The frontage of Desmond Castle, Kinsale

Desmond Castle is classic urban medieval tower house, consisting of a three-storey keep with storehouses to the rear.

A restored window and stone arched entrance of Desmond Castle, Kinsale.

Stoned carved coats of arms on either side of the entrance door to Desmond Castle, Kinsale.

The Geraldine arms, bees on a quartered shield

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