Second visit after the one on May 9th, 2000.
Roger de Peppard founded this castle in 1207, but most of the present building isn't older than the 15th century and much of the restoration must have been carried out by John St. Ledger.
In the 15th and 16th centuries the castle was a stronghold for the defence of the Pale.
Before the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, both Prince William of Orange and the King James II stayed at the castle.
In 1805, the castle was given to the Louth Grand Jury and converted in a courthouse and a prison and it's still used a courthouse today.
Ardee Castle is the largest fortified medieval tower house in Ireland and perhaps in Europe.
UPDATE: June 8th, 2011 - Third visit to this castle, I took new photos, three of them have been uploaded in this page.
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