Enniscorthy Castle

Over het museum

Enniscorthy Castle was built by the Normans in the late 12th century, when the Anglo-Norman knights who followed Strongbow granted the lands of the Duffry to trusted followers. It passed to the Gaelic MacMurrough Kavanagh dynasty in the late 14th century and fell into ruin after they surrendered it in 1536. The castle seen today was rebuilt by Henry Wallop, who received the Duffry by royal appointment, and it was besieged in the Cromwellian war and used as a prison in the 1798 rebellion.

In the 19th century the building served as an estate office, a diocesan registration office and the printing office of a local newspaper. From 1903 the Roche family, local maltsters with American connections, restored it and made it a family home. The last of them left in 1951, and the castle later opened as Wexford County Museum.

After a major renovation it reopened as “A View from the Keep”. Its focus moved from a county museum to the story of the castle, its people and the town. The three floors of exhibitions cover the Normans, the Gaelic revival, the Roche family and later history, and a rare medieval figure with a sword is scratched into the dungeon wall.

The castle also houses a permanent exhibition on Eileen Gray, the modernist architect and designer born near Enniscorthy in 1878. Visitors can climb to the rooftop battlements for views of the town, the River Slaney and Vinegar Hill. It is run with two sister sites, the National 1798 Rebellion Centre and Vinegar Hill.

Hoogtepunten

• Three floors of exhibitions on the castle and the town
• Eileen Gray permanent exhibition
• Medieval swordsman graffito in the dungeon
• Rooftop battlements with views over the Slaney and Vinegar Hill
• Story of the Roche family, the last residents

Vaste collectie

• A View from the Keep – Three floors of exhibitions follow the castle and the town of Enniscorthy from the Norman landing to the Roche family, with a rare medieval figure scratched into the dungeon wall.
• Eileen Gray – A permanent display on the life and work of the modernist architect and designer, who was born near Enniscorthy.

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

Saver tickets are also offered; details are on the castle website. Walk-ins are welcome and booking is available.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom: geen informatie
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal: geen informatie
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The castle has a published access guide: a step-free route from the accessible parking area to the entrance, a lift to all floors, an accessible toilet with a 1500 mm turning area, and seating about every 50 metres. At the time of research the lift was reported out of order for maintenance, so check with the castle before visiting. Staff will help with planning and are trained to assist blind and partially sighted visitors; an evacuation chair is kept on site.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Kinderwagenvriendelijk
• Verschoonruimte

Children of all ages may visit the exhibition if an adult accompanies them. Pushchairs are allowed at the visitor’s discretion, and there is a baby changing facility.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The castle is in the centre of Enniscorthy, reached from the M11 and the N80, N11 or N25.

Service & horeca

• Museumwinkel

A craft and gift shop with step-free access is on site. The castle also serves as a visitor information point for the town.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

• Ruimtes te huur
• Privéfeesten
• Zakelijke evenementen
• Bruiloften / trouwceremonies

Meetings, workshops, corporate dinners and civil ceremonies can be held in the castle.

Je bezoek plannen