Trim Castle Re-Visited

So Haley had school all during the week they were here, which was the last week of March, but we let her take Friday off so she could join us for the fun and games.  So on their last day here, we all packed into the car and drove to the town of Trim to see the castle.

I say "re-visited" because this is the one we attempted to tour in November when Jeff was here, but the castle wasn't open during the week at that time.  So we toured around the outer grounds and saw Sheep's Gate and St. Mary's Abbey.  Those photos were posted in November 2013 - and it lets you see all around the outside of the castle walls.

This time, I called ahead to be sure the castle was open.

Amy got the photo of the car-load!

This identifies that Trim Castle was used as the York Castle in the filming of Braveheart.

Amy also took this shot - and it's cool because you are on the city street and can see the castle looming up in front of you!

This is Trim Gate, which was closed to us in November!

This is the Keep.  Hugh De Lacy acquired the lands in 1172.  With the River Boyne on the North and the marshy ground on the South, it was an ideal spot to build and to keep it protected, as it left very few ways to enter the castle grounds.  The keep itself could only be accessed by a drawbridge, which would have been where the metal stairs are now.  He began building in 1173.  Trim was at the time, the largest Castle in Ireland, and it has been well-preserved with the integrity of the building itself kept intact.

This is the Great Hall.  It was added some time after 1250, when the castle keep no longer was suitable for important meetings and parties and gatherings. 

The tall tower in the distance is the ruin of the Abbey of St. Mary's that we saw in November with Jeff.  It is across the river and outside Sheep Gate - which we also went through last November.  Sheep Gate is a Gate belonging to the town wall, and the only one still standing.  The tower is still the tallest building in Trim.

This is another view of The Great Hall, with a view of the tunnel underneath.

This is the tunnel that leads to that railed off area.  There is also a trough which was used for waste.  (I know, ewwww!)  It would have gone right into the River...

This picture from one of the signs shows what the Great Hall would have looked like from the river side.

Part of the wall enclosing the castle grounds.

A view of Trim Gate, through which we entered, from the Great Hall.

The River Gate.  This Gate was added to allow for easier deliveries from the boats on the river.

The picture on the sign gives a nice view of what it would have looked like from the river, with The Great Hall to the right of The River Gate.

These are two shots of the side of what is left of The River Gate.

The whole place would have been walled for protection, so the wooden fence would have been an extension of the large stone wall you see in the distance.

The Barbican Gate.  Added in the early 13th Century.  This was added to guard southern approaches to the Castle.

Inside The Barbican Gate.

Our tour included a guide for seeing the inside of the Keep.  It was well worth it to go in and climb to the top and see the magnificent views from above.

This is another double basin in the chapel.  As I noted in my info about Fore Abbey, the double basin was unusual.

View of The Barbican Gate from the top of The Keep.

View of Sheep Gate, which is across the river.  Following the path will bring you to The Abbey of St. Mary's.

View of the Abbey and also the home where Jonathan Swift lived in the early 1700's as Vicar of Laracor in Trim.

We had a great time and our tour guide was awesome!  After the tour we got a late lunch/early dinner in town and then drove back home so they could get ready for their trip back home.