Nenagh Castle tower

Nenagh Castle tower standing 100 feet in height is a reminder of the first castle built by the great Butler family around 1220.


When the Normans came in the 12th century, a powerful warlord established himself here at Nenagh. The warrior, Theobald Fitzwalter, who occupied the lands and began the building of the castle. Appointed to be the Norman king’s butler, Theobald adopted Butler as his surname and was the originator of one of the greatest families of Ireland. He died in 1205, years before his grand castle could be completed.






An effort is being made currently in Nenagh to preserve and restore the tower and castle grounds.

On top of Aran Island at ancient Dun Aengus

Ireland is steeped in history. There are buildings still standing from the 5th and 6th centuries. We visited the ancient ruins on top of Aran Mor on the Aran Islands yesterday. Aran Mor is the largest of the three islands, about 9 miles long and 1 mile wide with 7 “villages” or clusters of houses. About 900 people still live on the three islands.
Dun Aengus, the greatest barbaric monument of the kind in existence, stands on a cliff three hundred feet above the sea. It is a hundred and forty-two feet in diameter, and has two stone walls fifteen feet thick and eighteen high.


Later, we stopped at the “7 churches”, and ancient monastery on the west side of Aran Mor. This monastery was started around 500. It thrived as an austere school for sanctity and learning with as many as 150 disciples at a time living on the island.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01677b.htm