Though we drove through or stopped in Thomastown not less than four times before, we never thought of taking the time to getting closer to this ruinous castle on the River Nore.
Thomastown is a small yet fascinating town with an ancient, almost medieval, look, especially when seen downstream from the old bridge.
The town was founded in the 13th century by Thomas FitzAnthony, an Anglo-Norman mercenary, who later became Governor of the province of Leinster.
FitzAnthony fortified the town with walls and towers. Today only two of these towers survive and one of them two is the castle on the left bank of the River Nore.
Unfortunately this castle is in bad conditions, the rear side faces on a car park and the castle is besieged by cars and vans.
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