|
Redwood Castle (also known as ''Egan Castle'' or ''Caislean Choillte Rua'' in Irish) is a Norman castle near Lorrha in County Tipperary, Ireland.〔(DiscoverIreland.ie - Official Irish Tourist Board website - Redwood Castle )〕 The castle was built by the Normans around 1200 AD, and was occupied by them until c.1350, when the Mac Aodhagáin (MacEgan, Egan, Keegan) were installed on the lands. As hereditary Brehons or lawyers, the Mac Aodhagáin clan established a school of learning here, which was patronised by the family for several hundred years.〔 The castle was enlarged and renovated several times, with considerable work in 1350 and 1580.〔(Redwoodcastleireland.com - History )〕 Aside from the original thick stone walls, the building demonstrates some architectural features common to Irish fortifications of the period (including a murder-hole), and some less common features (including a Sheela na gig).〔(Ireland's Sheela na Gigs: Redwood )〕 The castle remained under continuous occupation and ownership by the (Mac)Egan families until it was confiscated and burned at the time of the Cromwellian conquest c.1650. The site remained in ruin, with only the thick exterior walls standing, until Michael J. Egan, a Mayo lawyer, purchased and renovated the building in 1972. While the castle remains a private residence, terms of the Department of Finance ''Heritage/Cultural Tax Relief'' mean the castle is periodically open to the public during the summer months.〔 It is a protected structure (ref S329) on the North Tipperary list of protected structures.〔(North Tipperary County Council - Heritage - Register of Protected Structures )〕 The castle hosted several "Clan Egan" rallies in 2000, 2004 and 2008.〔(Clan Egan website - Rallies )〕 ==References== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Redwood Castle」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|