@ecency-star released a prompt, asking us to talk about Monuments and Heritage Sites.
Here's A Link To The Post If You'd Like To Get Involved.
The Black Castle
I shot a documentary on this location along with a few friends during the Lockdown, and it was not only a lot of fun to create, but it was great researching it together and piecing together the history of the location.
Here's the short documentary if you want to check it out, and learn some of the History of this location.
The castle itself is little more than a few pillars of old slate, hanging on the edge of a small cliff, over looking the sea, and a small beach.
It was originally built by the Normans in 1169, during the invasion, and alongside this old fortification, many other coastal forts were constructed around the same time period.
These castle were designed to garrison troops, and help the invaders safely land more troops after the initial wave.
During its history it had many different owners. A portion of land along the Eastern coast was taken by Normans, and the title of "The Kingdom of Ireland" transferred to Richard II, and with the title to the kingdom of Ireland, he decided to launch a force to claim more of the island than just that small coastal region.
The Black Cast was garrisoned by many different groups, and during many rebellions it was taken over, or even burned down by local clans. Each time it was taken over or destroyed, the British forces would take it back, rebuild it, and start to use it again.
This game of tug of war took place for Centuries, one of the final times it was reconstructed was in 1547, at some point after that it was attacked once more, and after than attack it was left to go derelict, and now the few pillars are all that remain of this historical landmark.
Here's an idea of what historians think the castle would have looked like in its day.
Back around the time of its construction, it would have been one of the most complex and defensible structures in the local area.
The fort would have been considered a symbol of power, and the symbol alone was probably a big reason why it was always targeted, attacked, and destroyed by local clans, and tribes.
The name, "The Black Castle" was bestowed on this site due to the treacherous things done within its walls. Anyone who found themselves captured and taken inside would have suffered greatly by the hands of the people who held it.
Now adays the site is walked by locals and tourists alike, and many people flock to the large plot of land surrounding it, during the summer.
The grass dunes surrounding the area are also used as a place to discreetly drink.
If you're going to discreetly drink, there's only one tipple that's appropriate. Strongbow cider 😁
After all, it was Earl Richard De Clare (nicknamed Strongbow) who ruled that part of Ireland on behalf of Henry II and commissioned the various castles in the region !
It reminds me so much of the backstory of Game of Thrones, Mac Murrough took a bride from another lord in Ireland without permission, which caused a war that lost his Kingdom, and he had to flee to recruit an army with the intension of coming back to reclaim it.
Such an interesting piece of history, and a really cool monument.
That's a nice little film and very educational. There are so many ruined castles around our isles and they all have some history. The people who built them must have been tough and resourceful. Those were brutal times.
!BEER
Absolutely man, it's mad to think of what loving through those times may have been like.
It's great seeing old castle and forts from near 1000 years ago, that are still standing and in good condition.
This one is near non existant anymore, but I've visted places where the old places and near completely intact.
In my home town of Bedford there is nothing left of the old castle apart from a mound. I think it was destroyed in the civil war. We do like a good ruin or historic building and have been to plenty. Of course there are lots of churches that go back that far too.
There's a place not far from where I live called Glendalough, it's an old ruin of an abbey, that was built some time around the 6th century.
It's a really nice walk to do on a good day, and as a really nice lake there too.
I am impressed how people at those time managed to design and build such huge and amazing castles despite on lack of technologies and resources!
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