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Trim Castle, Ireland

 

Where Gumbo Was (#190)

Gumbo was visiting Trim Castle in Ireland's historic Boyne Valley.  Congratulations to GarryRF, GeorgeG, PortMoresby and Roderick Simpson who solved this week's puzzle!

01 Trim Castle
(main entrance to the Castle Grounds)

02 Trim Castle

The pretty town of Trim, a heritage town in County Meath....36 Trim Castle

.... is home to Ireland's largest Anglo-Norman castle, and the castle and its grounds dominate the town.  The castle rests on the south bank of the River Boyne.  It was constructed over a thirty year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter; they were granted this right by King Henry II in 1172 in an attempt to stop the expansionist policies of Richard de Clare (Strongbow).

02b Trim Castle
02c Trim Castle

04 Trim Castle

Construction of the impressive three storied keep at the center of the castle was begun about 1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress.   The keep is unique in that it has 20 sides and is cruciform in shape; its walls are 3m thick.  The castle was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and moat.  Its walls have several towers and a gatehouse.  Most of the castle complex you see today was completed by 1220 AD.

06 Trim Castle07 Trim Castle

09 Trim Castle
(the Keep)

Over the centuries Trim Castle was adapted to needs of its owners and the changing political climate.  However, much of it has remained unchanged.  This magnificent site experienced a renaissance in 2000 when it was opened to the public after an extensive restoration.

11 Trim Castle

12 Trim Castle

14 Trim Castle15 Trim Castle
(touring the Keep)

The Castle was one of the locations used in the filming of the Mel Gibson directed film Braveheart (1995)....

35 Trim Castle It's a great place to spend a half day, exploring the ruins and land around the castle was a fun time for my brother and I when we visited.  We stayed at the Trim Castle hotel built just across the road from the castle.  The hotel was controversial when it was built because of how close it was to the Castle, but was an excellent facility and very convenient base from which to explore Trim.

37 Trim Castle
(Trim Castle Hotel)

If you visit:

There is a modest admission fee of a few Euros, well worth it.  Open all year.

Access to the keep is by guided tour only for safety reasons; visitors also have access to the grounds of the castle where interpretation panels allow for self guiding.  The keep is not open to people with disabilities because of the climbing involved.

Finally a few more photos of Trim and its castle, including views from the top of the Keep.....

17 Trim Castle

19 Trim Castle

20 Trim Castle

22 Trim Castle

23 Trim Castle

And of exploring the Castle Grounds and River Boyne....

25 Trim Castle

26 Trim Castle

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29 Trim Castle

30a Trim Castle

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33 Trim Castle

34 Trim Castle

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For more post in my Ireland series, please click on this link.

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Images (29)
  • Trim Castle, Entrance
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Interior, Trim Castle
  • Interior with guide, Trim Castle
  • Interior, Trim Castle
  • Interior, Trim Castle
  • View from Top of Trim Castle
  • View from Top of Trim Castle
  • View from Top of Trim Castle
  • View from Top of Trim Castle
  • View from Top of Trim Castle
  • Bridge leading to Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Trim Castle
  • Braveheart, Trim Castle
  • The town of Trim
  • Trim Castle hotel

Twitter: @DrFumblefinger

"We do not take a trip, a trip takes us".  John Steinbeck, from Travels with Charlie

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