Balrothery Tower
| Balrothery Tower | |
| County Dublin | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type: | Tower house |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | O19896113 |
| Location: | 53°35’12"N, 6°11’24"W |
| Village: | Balrothery |
| History | |
| Built early 16th century | |
| Information | |
Balrothery Tower is a tower house in Balrothery, County Dublin.[1][2]
The tower has been declared a National Monument.[3]
History
Robert de Rosel was an ally of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, known as Strongbow, and to him was granted Balrothery in about 1171 "where he built the town and castle". The name 'Balrothery' derives from the Irish Baile an Ridire, meaning "the knight's town". De Rosel's son Patrick became the parson of the church in Balrothery, and after his death Geoffrey de Costedin donated lands at Balrothery to Tristernagh Abbey, Kilbixy between 1191 and 1212.
Building
Balrothery Tower is a three-storey square plan rubble stone crenellated tower house built c. 1500. It has Trefoil headed openings with limestone surround and square headed openings with brick-dressed openings.
In the north-west corner is a turret with spiral stairway.
The top storey of the main tower has a two-light window at each face and the east face has a bell-cote. Lower down in the west wall is a two-light window with ogee heads and a square moulding with one mask.