This is the finest medieval castle in Ireland, built by the de Lacy earls of Ulster, and later held by the Mortimers. On the south side of the Boyne is a wedge-shaped court 150m by 100m with two gatehouses, one of them circular (very rare). Parts of three rectangular towers and the outer wall of a large aisled hall face the river, and five open-backed D-shaped towers flank the landward front. In the middle is a large four storey tower keep on a rare cruciform plan (but see Warkworth in Northumberland). It was begun in the 1170s, but not completed until c1215. Across the river are remains of town walls, monasteries, churches and two urban tower houses.

Written by  Mike Salter.

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