King John's Castle, Limerick

Advantages: Free admission. Full of historical information.
Disadvantages: Scant remains. Poor visitor centre.

...family, Roger de Lacy. ~The last of the Lacys~ On Robert de Lacy's death in 1194 the castle was inherited by his aunt's great-grandson Roger Fitz-Eustace, Constable of Cheshire, on the condition that he adopted the de Lacy name. Roger de Lacy's died in 1211 leaving the castle to his son John de Lacy. On John's death in 1240 the castle was inherited by his son Edmund de Lacy who held the castle until 1258. His son Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, held the castle until his death in 1311. The de Lacy hold on the castle came to an end when Henry de Lacy died bequeathing it to his only child, Alice. Pontefract Castle formed part of Alice’s marriage settlement to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster thus transferring the castle to Lancaster. ~ A Lancashire Castle in Yorkshire! ~ Thomas’ marriage to Alice de Lacy was a disaster. Alice fled from... Read review

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Advantages: Lots Of History
Disadvantages: Not Free To Look Around

...years, from 1163 until his death in 1202. During this time he carried out a lot of modernisation work to the Castle and wrote in his Journal that "he intended to turn this Castle into a place fit for a King." It would seem that his intentions came true because in 1201, the year before his death, King John stayed here for a whole Month. Following Hamelin's death possession passed to his Son, another William until his death in 1239 when it passed to John, his son by his second Marriage to Maud. John held the Castle until his death in 1304 when it passed to the last Earl Warene, his Eighteen year old Grandson John, since his own Son William had been killed in Battle. A Marriage was arranged for John, to Joan de Barr, Granddaughter of King Edward the first but it was not a happy Marriage and there were no Children. By 1313 the Couple had... Read review

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Advantages: Interesting, old, lots to see, things for kids
Disadvantages: Transport links on Sundays!

...On a trip to Northern Ireland for a wedding we were looking for something to occupy us on the Sunday. We were staying quite close to Carrickfergus and loving all things historical we decided to visit the castle there. I didn't really know anything about the castle beforehand so I'll try to give you a bit of background. HISTORY: Carrickfergus castle was begun in 1177 by John de Courcy, an English baron who conquered Ulster. He remained there until 1204 when another Englishman, Hugh de Lacy, captured the castle. The castle was taken by King John when he went to Ireland in 1210, but was restored to de Lacy in 1227 by Henry III. From around 1330 the castle was in the hands of the crown and remained their main stronghold in the North. The castle was taken by the French in the 18th century. It was used to house an armoury until... Read review

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