Castle Roche was built in 1236 by the De Verdun family on a steep rocky outcrop which made it virtually impregnable. De Verdun arrived in 1185 as part of King John’s first expedition to Ireland but it was his French granddaughter Rohesia who built the castle. Rohesia was married to Theobald Le Botiller, 2nd Chief Butler of Ireland who suddenly died in France. Rohesia moved to Ireland and immediately set about fortifying her lands. She however deterred all potential architects with her reputation for a quick temper so she offered her hand in marriage (and thereby a share in her wealth) to the man who would build her a castle to her liking. According to local legend, after her wedding banquet in the newly completed castle, she invited her husband to the bridal suite and urged him to view their estate from the large bedroom window. Taking no chances with the castle’s secrets, she promptly pushed him out the window, where he plummeted to his death! This window was known thereafter as ‘The Murder Window’. In 1561 the hosting of all the English forces in Ireland took place here but by 1651 the castle lay in ruins after the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland. A secret passage once connected the castle to a round tower outpost.
13 мар 2024
