Overlooking the town of Edenderry, Blundell Castle is located on a hill from which the town gets its name; Eadon Doire, meaning brow or hill-top of the oak trees. Today, the oak trees are long since gone, but the ruins of the castle remain The ancient territory of UiFailghe was give to Robert De Bermingham by the Norman invader Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. These lands were ruled by the O’ Connor’s at the time of the arrival of the Norman De Bermingham’s.
The castle now in ruins lies in the middle of a small parkland surrounded by a council housing estate. The remains of the castle are overshadowed by the neighbouring water tower which supplies the town of Edenderry with water. There are many numerous Bermingham monuments dotted around Ireland particularly in the Kildare and Offaly area.Sadly most of these are now in a very ruinous state. There are a total of five castles and one monastery still in existence alond the Kildare/Offaly border. Carbury Castle, Grange Castle and Carrick Castles are in County Kildare, while Blundell Castle, Kinnefad Castle, and Monasterois Monastery are in County Offaly. I have previously posted about Carbury & Carrick, you can check these out by clicking the links above. The three castles located on three hills which over looked the edge of the Bog of Allen, can be seen from each other, which would have added an extra sense of security to its inhabitants.
The Castle originally dates from the 13th Century when it was constructed by the De Berminghams’ much later a rectangular tower house consisting of three storeys was built. Today only the East and South walls remain standing exposing some of the innards. On arrival I was disappointed as the Ruin has been fenced off. In 2009 as a result of damage caused by anti- social behaviour the local council began conservation work on Blundell castle. Now what they actually did to the structure I cannot tell but they did erect a rather nasty looking steel fence around the site which would have hampered my exploration, but for the fact that someone had removed a bar in the fence which allowed me to gain access and have a good look around.From the existing remains of the interior there is evidence of two fireplaces, one on ground level in the East wall and the other in the South wall on the next level. I could not see traces of any steps or stairs but these may have been attached to one of the missing walls. To the rear of the ruins you can see three narrow windows in the South wall.
The annals record that John De Gray, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, attacked the castle in 1427, as a result of an alliance between the De Bermingham’s and the O’Connor’s. The castle it is said was devastated on this occasion, and perhaps it is more likely to assume that the tower house, the ruins of which remain, was added at this time. In the 16th century Blundell changed hands and was held by the Colley family whose name gave Edenderry it’s former title, Coolestown. Sir George Colley defended the castle from attack by the O’Neill clan in 1599 during the Nine Years’ War. By 1659 it was under new ownership by George Blundell, whose family held the said ownership until the 18th Century. The Blundells came to national attention in 1674 when the three sons of Sarah and George, namely Francis, William and Winword were accused of murdering Thomas Preston the son of the Catholic peer Lord Tara. They were subsequently acquitted by Charles II.
The war of the ‘Two Kings’ in 1690-91 brought about the eventual downfall of Blundell Castle. The Blundells had sided with the Williamite cause and having destroyed nearby Ballybrittan Castle The Castle was attacked once again in May 1691 by the forces of James II under the command of Lt. Col. O’Connor whom destroyed both Blundell castle and the town of Edenderry on 13 February 1691, it has been derelict ever since. . In local myth passed on through generations, the castle is said to be haunted with the ghost of Sarah, Lady Blundell.
There is evidence of a tunnel not far from the Castle ruins and local legend says that it is part of a long tunnel built supposedly between Blundell and the another De Bermingham Castle at Carbury, a distance of about five miles. An interesting local story tells that during the 19th century Edenderry was governed by a Lord Downshire and it has been said that his wife used this tunnel to meet her lover at Carbury. It seems however that this affair was discovered by Downshire and consequently he murdered his wife. If the tunneldoes actuallyexist and connect both castles it may have been installed by the Berminghams as a means of communication during times of conflict with the native Gaelic clans.
For more of my images, why not visit my Website,or follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
The draw of ruins! What is it? The harsh past crumbled back, mulch, earth music…..
LikeLike
Good Question Simon, I’m not sure what it is. All I know is that i get to combine my photography with exploring and history.
LikeLike
I have been wandering round ruins since I was small. The gentle company of ghosts.
LikeLike
beautiful portrait of a ruin
LikeLike
Thank you Javier, 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting tidbit about the tunnel – 5 miles is quite the excavation!
LikeLike
Some very interesting stories here! Another gloriously romantic ruin in the last throes of decay! Lovely photos – always a pleasure to share in your discoveries!
LikeLike
Many Thanks Jo 🙂
LikeLike
You have an amazing gift for making broken-down old ruins look mysterious and attractive! We must talk about a portrait … 🙂
LikeLike
Why thank you, anytime, 🙂
LikeLike
Not only wonderful photos, but history included – perfect.
LikeLike
Pingback: Kinnefad Castle | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Monasteroris Medieval Church & Graveyard | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Grange Castle | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: 2013 My Photo-Blog Adventure | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Donadea Castle | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Dunfierth Church | EdMooneyPhotography
wow such amazing history shown in your photography
LikeLike
Thank you, much appreciated, so glad you liked them 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Ed, for showing us another great piece of history. I love the fact that you tell the story behind the ruin, it makes the images a lot more meaningful.
LikeLike
My pleasure Jean. They say that a pictures speaks a 1000 words! Well I like to add a little it more 🙂
LikeLike
Great photos!
LikeLike
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
LikeLike
Great work, Ed: SPECIAL!
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
Wow Ed ! What a find! Those niche photos are very intriguing. They look a little like they were once arch doorways and then filled in. I’m going to have to share some photos with you of an antique book I found at an Antiquarian fair here in Denver. The title of it is Ireland Illustrated and the drawings, which were steel engraved, of Irish castles (plus other edifices) is absolutely genius and still in fantastic condition. An almost intact Courtstown Castle in Kilkenney is one…
Thanks for the look and info !
The Castle Lady
LikeLike
They sure do, One was actually a recess to a stairwell, I would love to see those, it sounds fascinating. I am hoping to get down to Kilkenny for a day or two this summer. And will go hunting for Courtstown. This is the last Castle I visited, its a gemhttps://edmooneyphoto.wordpress.com/2014/05/02/ballyadams-castle
LikeLike
Pingback: Carrick Castle – Monochrome Madness Challenge | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Re-work Wednesday 46 | EdMooneyPhotography
Pingback: Kinnefad Castle | Ed Mooney Photography
Pingback: Grange Castle | Ed Mooney Photography
Pingback: CMG, OBE, MI6…KIA. | 11sixtynine