Desmond Castle and Banqueting Hall

About the museum

Desmond Castle in Newcastle West was begun in the thirteenth century by Thomas FitzGerald, nicknamed “the Ape”, and grew into a main seat of the Earls of Desmond. Most of the surviving building dates from the fifteenth century, when the Desmond earls were at the height of their power. The two-storey banqueting hall, with a vaulted lower chamber and an adjoining tower, was used for lavish feasts.

The Crown seized the castle in 1591 and granted it to William Courtenay during the Munster Plantation. It was besieged and burned in 1643 during the Confederate Wars and damaged by Cromwellian forces in 1645. In the eighteenth century much of the old castle was pulled down to build a new Courtenay Castle, leaving the banqueting hall as the main surviving medieval feature.

The Office of Public Works restored the hall, including the oak gallery where musicians played during feasts and a hooded limestone fireplace. A small exhibition with objects and information boards explains the history of the hall and the FitzGerald family, and visitors see the hall on a guided tour of about 40 minutes.

Highlights

• Surviving fifteenth-century banqueting hall of the Earls of Desmond
• Restored oak musicians’ gallery
• Free guided tours of about 40 minutes
• Small exhibition on the FitzGerald family and the OPW restoration

Permanent exhibition

• Desmond Castle banqueting hall and exhibition – A guided tour of the medieval banqueting hall with its restored oak gallery, and a small exhibition on the history of the hall and the FitzGerald earls.

Operated by

Office of Public Works (OPW) – Heritage Ireland

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission and guided tours are free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the hall is by a stone stairway and Heritage Ireland lists limited access; visitors with mobility needs should contact the OPW in advance. There are toilets including a wheelchair-accessible toilet. Assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The castle is in the centre of Newcastle West, off the N21, about 40 km from Limerick city.

Amenities & dining

Toilets on site; cafés and shops are in the town centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit