Castle Roche, Norman castle in County Louth, Ireland
Castle Roche is a medieval fortress on a rocky outcrop in County Louth, featuring two towers and a great hall as its main structures. The site offers views across the surrounding countryside and displays the typical layout of Norman military buildings from that period.
The de Verdun family built this fortress in 1236, establishing a key stronghold at the boundary between Ulster and the Anglo-Norman territory called The Pale. This strategic location made it an important checkpoint between competing regions.
The castle is known for the Murder Window, an opening tied to the story of Lady Rohesia, who allegedly pushed the architect from the structure after it was completed. This tale shapes how visitors understand the site and its darker past.
The ruins are reached through private farm gates northwest of Dundalk and sit within agricultural land. Visitors should park carefully and respect the rules of the private property to maintain access to the grounds.
An underground secret passage once connected the main castle to a separate round tower, creating a defensive system to protect residents during danger. Today only traces of this network remain visible in the terrain and occasional references in old records.
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