Castles of Ireland: Some Fortress Histories and Legends

A survey of Irish castles offering concise histories, architectural descriptions, and local legends for notable fortresses around the country. The author summarizes origins, builders, structural features, later alterations, and ownership, and recounts traditional attributions and anecdotal material; chapters combine measured archaeological detail, citations of antiquarian sources, and illustrated sketches to situate each site in its landscape. The work highlights how changing warfare, grants of land, and social upheavals shaped castle construction, notes preservation states from mere foundations to grand ruins, and collects folklore, heraldry, and interior curiosities observed during visits.