Roscrea Castle and Damer House
Thirteenth-century Norman castle in Roscrea with a Queen Anne-style house, gardens, a restored mill and a heritage exhibition.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Roscrea Castle is a stone castle of the late thirteenth century, built on the site of a motte-and-bailey fortress that King John ordered in 1213. Major building work took place between 1274 and 1295. In 1315 the castle passed to the Butlers of Ormond, who held it until the eighteenth century. It was stormed by Owen Roe O'Neill in 1646 and taken by Cromwell in 1650.
In 1722 John Damer bought the property, and in 1728 he built Damer House inside the castle yard, a pre-Palladian house with nine bays. From 1798 the castle served as a barracks for about 350 soldiers, and later it was used as a school, a library and a sanatorium. Damer House was nearly demolished in the 1960s but was saved and restored. The castle became a national monument in 1892.
Today the site is run as Roscrea Heritage Centre by the Office of Public Works, with the castle, the Damer House, a garden with a fountain and the restored Black Mills, where St Cronan's high cross and a pillar stone are displayed. Heritage Ireland reports that Damer House is closed in 2026 for works while the castle, gardens and Black Mills remain open.
Highlights
- Thirteenth-century Norman castle
- Damer House, a Queen Anne-style house built in 1728 (closed in 2026 for works)
- Black Mills with St Cronan's high cross
- Walled garden with a fountain
- Interpretive exhibition and guided tours
Permanent exhibition
- Roscrea Castle and Black Mills – A tour of the Norman castle and the restored Black Mills, where St Cronan's high cross and a pillar stone are displayed, with an interpretive exhibition on the town's heritage.
- Operated by
- Office of Public Works (OPW) – Heritage Ireland
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3 |
|---|---|
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Visitors with disabilities and their carers enter free at Heritage Ireland sites that charge admission. |
Free admission: First Wednesday of each month (Heritage Ireland Free Wednesday; first come, first served, no online booking).
Heritage Ireland lists a single admission price of €3 for the 2026 season.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- 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
Heritage Ireland lists a lift among the facilities. A multi-million euro upgrade is planned to improve accessibility and interpretation. 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 Roscrea town, on Castle Street.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Picnic area and bike trail.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The castle and Black Mills are visited on tours; Heritage Ireland also lists an interpretive exhibition. |
