Description of the attraction
Among the attractions of the Irish Killarney National Park, Ross Castle undoubtedly deserves special attention. The old castle is located on the shores of picturesque Loch Lane (one of the three famous Killarney lakes) and is open to the public.
Ross Castle was built in the late 15th century as the ancestral home of the local ruling clan O'Donahue, and in the 1580s, during the Second Desmond Uprising, came under the control of the McCartney clan. Subsequently, Ross Castle became the property of the Brown family (ancestors of the Earls of Kenmeir) and, with the exception of a few periods, belonged to them until the middle of the 20th century. During the Eleven Years' War (October 1641 - April 1653) between Irish Catholics and English and Scottish Protestants, Ross Castle was one of the last to fall.
The castle is a typical fortification of medieval Ireland. A huge five-story tower rises in the center, along the perimeter of which massive defensive walls with round loopholes at the corners are erected. Despite the fact that the tower was actually a residential building, it was designed in such a way as to protect its inhabitants as much as possible from possible conquerors. The multi-level protection consisted of an iron grate covering the entrance, a two-layer oak door, small holes or so-called killer holes that allow attacking those who broke through the first cordon, spiral staircases with steps of different heights that made it difficult for the enemy to climb to the upper floors, two hinged loopholes (mashikuli), specially equipped crenellated roof, etc.
Ross Castle is well preserved to this day, and is an important architectural and historical monument. The interior of the castle has been carefully restored, and you can see here old oak furniture, household items, weapons and much more.
There is a legend about how an unknown force literally "sucked" Mora O'Donahue out of the window of his room, and the lake swallowed Mr. Mora along with a horse, some pieces of furniture and an extensive library. Rumor has it that O'Donahue has been living in a huge palace at the bottom of the lake since then, looking after his former possessions. Local belief says that once every seven years, early in the morning of May, one can contemplate O'Donahue riding around the lake on a white horse, and that whoever sees him even briefly for the rest of his life will be lucky.
