Maynooth Castle

15/10/2026

On This Day In Irish History 15th October 1763 🇮🇪

Lord Edward FitzGerald - Revolutionary Born in Maynooth.

On October 15th 1763 at Carton House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Lord Edward FitzGerald became one of the leading figures of the United Irishmen and a central figure in the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

The fifth son of James FitzGerald, 1st Duke of Leinster, and Lady Emily Lennox, Edward was born into one of Ireland's most prominent aristocratic families. Despite his privileged upbringing, his political views would lead him to challenge the very system in which he had been raised.

FitzGerald served as an officer in the British Army during the American War of Independence. However, inspired by the American and French Revolutions, he increasingly supported the cause of Irish independence. He believed in uniting Catholics and Protestants in the pursuit of an independent Irish republic.

By 1796, he had become a leading member of the Society of United Irishmen, supporting plans for a French-assisted uprising against British rule.
In May 1798, just days before the planned rebellion, FitzGerald was arrested in Dublin. During the arrest, he was seriously wounded and subsequently died on June 4th 1798, aged just 34, while in custody.

Although he did not live to see the rebellion unfold, Lord Edward FitzGerald became an enduring symbol of the struggle for Irish independence.

It is a fascinating historical irony, Lord Edward FitzGerald is buried just feet away from Major Henry Charles Sirr, the very man who shot and arrested him. They both rest at St. Werburgh's Church on Werburgh Street, located right off Lord Edward Street in Dublin

13/10/2026

Bridge of Time” – Maynooth Through Art

A beautiful oil painting on canvas by local artist Leo Prendergast Art, measuring 3ft × 2ft, depicts Maynooth’s churches, college and castle. It is on display this week as part of the Castle Keep Art Exhibition.

Titled “Bridge of Time”, Leo’s painting celebrates Maynooth’s rich heritage and the historic landmarks that have shaped the town across the centuries, fittingly as we celebrate Maynooth 850. 🏰

📍 Location: St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Maynooth
📅 When: Tuesday to Friday this week
🕖 Time: From 7pm each evening

Why not drop in and enjoy the exhibition? You’ll have the opportunity to admire all the wonderful paintings created by Leo and the rest of the Castle Keep Art group!

Come along, celebrate Maynooth’s history and discover the town through the eyes of local artists!🎨

11/10/2026

Reminder 💭

09/10/2026

History enthusiasts of Maynooth - There’s plenty to discover and to enjoy this October! 📚🎭🙌

Although Maynooth Castle has closed for its well-deserved winter break, our guides and historians had a busy summer filled with historical talks, tours and events. But the history doesn’t stop when the castle doors close! October brings a fantastic programme of events celebrating Maynooth’s rich heritage, culture, music and fascinating connections to the FitzGerald family. There’s plenty for history enthusiasts to enjoy

Many of these events form part of the Maynooth 850 celebrations, alongside events organised by the Maynooth 850 historical society, local groups & organisations, musicians, and the Maynooth Bookshop in association with Historic Hibernia.

📅 HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MAYNOOTH!

🎶 Monday 12 October – The Big Session
Push for Porter and Friends. Traditional Irish music & trad.
📍 St Mary's Church of Ireland, Maynooth
🕢 7:30pm

🏰 Tuesday 13 October – Maynooth History Panel Discussion
Discover aspects of Maynooth's history and the impact of the FitzGeralds, exploring family, education and employment. Chaired by Jerome Reilly.
📍 St Mary's Church of Ireland, Maynooth
🕢 7:30pm

🎭 Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 October – No Pastry for the King.
Enjoy an entertaining and humorous play written by Declan O'Connor, produced and directed by John Bean, and performed by the AnNuadha Players, supported by Maynooth Brass and Reed Band.
📍 St Mary's Church of Ireland, Maynooth
🕢 7:30pm

🎨The Maynooth Castle Keep Art Group will also exhibit paintings reflecting historical aspects of Maynooth throughout the events at St Mary's Church of Ireland.

🎻 Saturday 17 October – Kildare Orchestra
Head to the Glenroyal Hotel for a much-anticipated performance by Kildare's own 60-piece orchestra. Kildare is one of the few counties fortunate enough to boast its own orchestra, making this a wonderful musical occasion!

🚪 Doors open at 6:30pm
🎼 Concert begins at 7:30pm
📍 Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth

⚓ Thursday 22 October – Four Ships. Four Tragedies. Ireland at Sea.

Join Historic Hibernia at Maynooth Bookshop for a free illustrated historical talk exploring the Irish connections behind four of the most famous and tragic liners in maritime history.

🚢 RMS Titanic
🚢 RMS Lusitania
🚢 RMS Leinster
🚢 RMS Empress of Ireland

What connects these four ships to Ireland? Discover the stories of their passengers and crew, their tragic sinkings and the loss of life, and the communities across Ireland forever touched by these maritime disasters.

📍 Maynooth Bookshop
📅 Thursday 22 October
🕡 6:30pm
🎟️ Free Talk - All welcome

🎫 Tickets for the above events are free and available through Eventbrite.ie.

Whether you're passionate about local history, the FitzGeralds, theatre, music or Ireland's maritime past, there's something for everyone to enjoy this October!

Let's celebrate Maynooth's remarkable history and the wonderful people and organisations keeping it alive.

08/10/2026

The Solar Tower 🏰

The solar tower, a private living space for the FitzGerald family, derives its name from the Latin word solus, meaning "solitary".

Unlike the more public space of the great hall, the solar was intended for the family's exclusive use, housing their bedchambers and a multilevel private garderobe (toilet). These chambers were accessed via a spiral staircase. A guard post within the tower provided for security during times of unrest.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the solar tower is its emergency escape route. A concealed door leading out towards the nearby rivers. Accessible only by ladder, this escape route was further protected by the castle's only surviving murder hole proving that even in the comfort of their private residential space, defence remained a key concern. ⚔️

Source: Extract taken from Ireland’s Uncrowned Kings – Power, Intrigue and Rebellion from the Heart of Maynooth. 📖

06/10/2026

04/10/2026

October at Maynooth Castle – Entering the Winter Half of the Year 🍂

For people living in medieval Ireland, October was a significant time of transition. The harvest was being completed, livestock were brought down from summer pastures, and preparations were made for the long, cold months ahead.

As the days shortened and the darkness grew, the agricultural year was drawing to a close. Meat and fish was salted and preserved, while many crops and vegetables and other provisions were carefully stored.

But October was more than simply a practical time of year. The approach of Samhain marked the traditional transition from the lighter half of the year into winter. Ancient beliefs surrounding this time held that the boundary between our world and the Otherworld was less secure, with supernatural beings and the aos sí.
(A supernatural race in Irish and Scottish folklore, translating literally from the Irish as "people of the mounds" or often seen and believed to be “fairies”).

And what might October have meant here at Maynooth Castle? 🏰

Within and around the castle, October would have been a busy period: food and fuel had to be stored, livestock managed, provisions prepared and the household made ready for the coming winter.

The castle itself would have become an increasingly important centre of security and shelter as the days grew shorter. Outside its walls, the rhythms of farming and rural life continued, while within them the FitzGerald household prepared for another Irish winter.

So, as October arrives once again, spare a thought for those who stood within Maynooth Castle centuries ago — watching the leaves fall, the nights lengthen, and winter approach. 🍂🏰

01/10/2026

If you’ve visited Maynooth Castle, you may have walked through one of its lesser-known features without realising just how important these small entrances could be in a medieval castle.

The Postern Gate was a small secondary entrance, separate from the castle’s main gatehouse. Tucked into the castle’s defences, it provided a more discreet way in and out of the stronghold.

In medieval castles, postern gates could serve several purposes -

Sally port — defenders could use them to make surprise sorties against an attacking force during a siege.

Discreet movement — messengers, scouts or important occupants could enter or leave without using the main entrance.

Emergency exit — a secondary route could prove valuable if the main entrance was compromised.

Everyday access — they could also be useful for the movement of people and smaller loads without opening the heavily defended main gate.

Their small size was part of their defence. A narrow entrance created a natural chokepoint, making it much easier for defenders to control anyone attempting to force their way through.

At Maynooth Castle, the Postern Gate forms part of the surviving medieval fabric of this important FitzGerald stronghold. So, next time you visit the castle, take a moment to look beyond the great gatehouse — some of the most interesting stories can be found in the smaller details. 👀 🗡️🏰

28/09/2026

While Maynooth Castle and grounds are taking their winter break, there are still plenty of things to see, visit and explore in Maynooth and the surrounding area. Why not make a day of it and discover some of the town’s history, heritage and beautiful scenery?

📍 St Patrick’s College
Right beside the castle, St Patrick's Pontifical University, Maynooth was founded in 1795. A fascinating place to visit, with beautiful architecture, history and scenic walks.

🚶 Maynooth Tidy Towns Heritage Trail
Explore various points of interest and places of historical significance throughout the town. Take a map and go exploring or contact Maynooth Tidy Towns Association for information about tours.

🛍️ Maynooth Market
Every Saturday from 10am–3pm at the Square, with local businesses, traders and plenty to browse. Come along and support the local Maynooth Local Market

🏛️ The Avenue Walk & Carton House
Take a scenic and historic walk along the avenue towards Carton House, A Fairmont Hotel, the former home of the Dukes of Leinster.

🚲 Royal Canal & Greenway
Perfect for a walk or cycle, with beautiful scenery and a fascinating connection to Maynooth’s transport and industrial heritage.

🚢 Free Historical Talk
Ireland at Sea: Titanic, Lusitania, Leinster & Empress of Ireland

📅 Thursday 22nd October
⏰ 6:30pm
📍 The Maynooth Bookshop

A free illustrated historical talk by titanic historian Alan, exploring Ireland’s fascinating maritime connections — from the passengers and crew to the tragic sinkings, loss of life and communities across Ireland touched by these ships. Discover the stories behind RMS Titanic, RMS Lusitania, RMS Leinster and RMS Empress of Ireland, uncover some fascinating local connections and explore their remarkable legacy in Ireland’s maritime history. ⚓️

And if you’re looking to explore more heritage, check out the OPW’s other local heritage sites through the link below. 👇

https://heritageireland.ie/

28/09/2026

Have you ever wondered why some windows are blocked up at Maynooth castle? 👀 🏰 🧱

Visitors to Maynooth Castle will often notice the blocked-up windows and openings in the Solar Tower but very few ever get to see what lies behind them.

The Solar Tower is not open to public viewing, but we can give you a glimpse here and explain a little about why these openings were altered and blocked.

In 1849, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made their historic first visit to Ireland, and their journey brought them to Carton House, Maynooth, the magnificent home of the FitzGeralds, Dukes of Leinster.

The royal visit was an important occasion for the area, and the 3rd Duke of Leinster, Augustus Frederick FitzGerald, took great care to present the estate and its surroundings in the best possible light.
Maynooth Castle received particular attention.

The medieval ruins were tidied and railed off, emphasising the importance of the FitzGerald stronghold. The Duke was also responsible for work on the Solar Tower, including structural and architectural repairs to openings, windows and archways. These alterations helped stabilise the medieval structure while also preserving elements of its historic appearance.

Augustus also maintained the famous lime-tree avenue connecting Carton House with Maynooth Castle and St Mary's Church. As a board member of the Royal Canal Company, he also played a role in ensuring the canal passed close to Maynooth and the FitzGerald family's lands.

Today, the connection between the Duke, his family and Maynooth can still be seen. Augustus Frederick FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster, and his wife, Lady Charlotte, are buried in the crypt of St Mary's Church, directly opposite Maynooth Castle.