After years of hard work and persistence by successive Town Councillors and Nenagh Tourism Committee, it now appears that their diligence and commitment have paid off with work well under way on the restoration of the 13th Century Nenagh Castle and visitors centre.
I understand that the work which is being carried out by The Office of Public Works (OPW) has made considerable progress. Wooden oak beams which will support the four floors have been installed and the castle now has a roof for the first time in centuries.
Nenagh Castle is recognised as the finest cylindrical keep in Ireland was built in 1200 Theobald Walter, the founder of the great Butler dynasty of Ormond. It formed the north corner of a pentagonal court with a towered gatehouse on the southern side and strong towers on the north-west and south-east angles. This has now vanished, except for fragments of the gatehouse and east tower, but the keep still stands proud to a height of 100 feet. Its topmost quarter was added about 1860 by the Bishop of Killaloe in emulation of Windsor Castle.
Work on the restoration was recently delayed due to an archaeological find claimed to be of "huge historical significance". The find is believed to include a curtain wall of the 13th century castle and the ruins of a medieval manor house.
The castle adorned in scaffolding. The scaffolding was specially designed to allow architects full access to the walls which will enable them to inspect the structure and plan the work needed to be carried out.
(click to enlarge)
