- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1430 · 15th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Coordinates
- 53.3658°, -6.3306°
History
The stone tower house at Ashtown, on the western edge of Dublin, was probably built in the 15th century, though its dating varies between sources. In 1662 the Duke of Ormonde took the lands into the royal deer park that became Phoenix Park. In the 18th century a house was built onto the tower, wrapping around it completely; it later became the residence of the Under-Secretary for Ireland and in the 20th century the Apostolic Nunciature. When the decaying building was demolished in the 1980s, an intact medieval tower emerged from behind the plaster. The castle was restored and the park's visitor centre was built next to it.
What to see
The three-storey tower has thick walls, narrow windows and a spiral stair within the wall, and its roof gives views over the park. The interior is seen on guided tours from the neighbouring visitor centre, which presents the wildlife and history of Phoenix Park. Next door is a Victorian walled kitchen garden, and herds of fallow deer roam the surrounding meadows.
Wikipedia article Wikidata Q726404
Popularity: articles about this site in 16 Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia language editions and others).