Moydrum Castle

Moydrum Castle is a two-story mansion in County Westmeath built with seven bays, castellated walls, multiple turrets, and decorative stone carvings. The structure displays the Gothic Revival style popular during the 1810s.

William Handcock commissioned architect Richard Morrison to build this castle in 1814 on lands his family had held since the Cromwellian plantation. The structure was destroyed in 1921 during the Irish War of Independence when armed groups targeted it as a symbol of British colonial power.

The Irish Republican Army burned the castle on July 3, 1921, as a response to British military actions during the Irish War of Independence.

The location sits in rural countryside and can be reached via the M6 motorway by exiting at Junction 9 and then following minor roads to approach the site. The ruins stand in open fields, so visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and exposed weather conditions.

The ruins appeared on the cover of U2's 1984 album 'The Unforgettable Fire', photographed by acclaimed photographer Anton Corbijn. This image brought the location international attention and attracted music fans from around the world.

Location: County Westmeath

GPS coordinates: 53.42780,-7.86330

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:43