Bermingham Castles of Ireland

Most are now in a poor state but Athenry Castle in Galway has been restored, using building techniques similar to those employed when it was originally built.

Grange is situated a mile or so from Carrick Castle and is a late 15th-century (1460) tower house built by the Bermingham family.

The remaining buildings and grounds were handed down to Hugh Tyrrell who lives in England and from whom they are leased by The Tyrrell Trust Ltd. From 1460 onwards successive generations have added to or changed the character of Grange, with the building of a great hall now fully restored and named as Fallon Hall, with a walled garden, a cow byre and various stables and courtyards which have yet to be restored.

The ruins are surrounded by an extensive burial-ground with a separate entrance which holds the mortuary chapel of the Bermingham family.

A handsomely sculptured alter-tomb formerly occupied the centre of this chapel, which is now found built into the walls of the vault that surrounds the Bermingham tomb, erected in 1815 by a Frederick Hamilton.

The eastern wall is missing allowing a view of the internal structure including a few remaining flag stones from a spiral staircase.

The author Wilde in 'The Beauties of the Boyne and its Tributary, the Blackwater' describes Kinnefad as: "A large square block of building, measuring 47 feet by 39, on the outside, the external walls being quite perfect.

It appears, from its few and narrow windows, as well as its general design, to have belonged to an earlier era than the modern part of the Castle of Carbury, when strength influenced the builder more than attention to comfort.

Lord Downshire’s agent at Edenderry has in his possession several weapons of great antiquity, dug up near this place, celts, sword-blades, spear-heads, etc.

The building was severely damaged during a siege by the Lord Lieutenant in 1521, however the friars stayed in the area for another fifty years.

Blundell castle sits atop a hill which overlooks the town of Edenderry and has for its companion a water tower.

This building was probably founded by the Barnewall family late in the thirteenth century from whom it passed by marriage to the De Berminghams.

He paid 160 marks (£106.67) and requested other noblemen as well as his own knights and esquires, according to their ranks and means, to give subsidy and aid in the building of a monastery.

Athenry Castle is also attributed to Meiler de Bermingham and stands on an artificial mound from an earlier period.