[Illustration: DRIMNAGH CASTLE, COUNTY OF DUBLIN.]
Among the many objects of historical or picturesque interest in the
immediate vicinity of our metropolis, there are few, perhaps, better
worthy of a visit than the subject of our prefixed illustration--the old
Castle of Drimnagh, which is situated between the villages of Crumlin and
Clondalkin, and distant about three miles from the city. We have here
presented to us an ancient castellated residence, of irregular but highly
picturesque outline, still surrounded and protected by its ancient moat,
and, though in good condition and inhabited, still retaining to such an
extent its original character as a place of strength, that as we look
upon it, we might almost imagine ourselves living in the ages of its
military greatness, and belonging to a state of society very different
from that secure and peaceful one in which we happily have our existence.
In addition to these circumstances, the Castle of Drimnagh is highly
interesting, from the beauty and picturesqueness of its situation, which
is not only strikingly romantic in itself, but commands a variety of
views of the most pleasing character; as the scenery of the City and Bay
towards the east; that of the Park, Castleknock, and Clondalkin, towards
the north; and, in congenial harmony with its ivied walls, the dark
mountains of the county of Dublin towards the south--the wild fastnesses
of the Irish clans whose predatory aggressions it was originally built to
repress.
The date of the erection of this castle is not exactly known, but there
is every reason to presume that it was originally founded as early as the
reign of John, by Hugh de Bernivale, who it is probable came with that
Prince into Ireland, and at all events received in 1215 a grant from him
of the lands of Drimnagh and Terenure, which continued in the possession
of his descendants for four centuries afterwards. It is from this Hugh de
Bernivale, who, as it is said, derived his descent from the ancient Dukes
of Brittany, that the several noble families of Barnwall, in Ireland,
descend. He died in 1221, leaving a son and heir, Hugo, who died without
issue the 8th of October 1237; and another son, Reginald, who becoming
heir to his brother, had his inheritance of four carracutes of land with
their appurtenances in Drimnagh and Terenure confirmed to him by patent,
by king Henry III. These possessions were ultimately, and after much
litigation, alienated from the family in the reign of James I, when they
passed into the hands of Sir Adam Loftus, ancestor of the noble family
of Ely; but Drimnagh Castle is at present the property of the Marquis of
Lansdowne.
The Castle of Drimnagh has been repaired or re-edified at various
times, so that it is not an easy matter to determine at present what
portions of it are of great antiquity, and what are altogether of more
recent date; but upon the whole it will convey a very good idea of the
fortified residence of a noble family in Ireland previous to the close of
the seventeenth century. During the troubles consequent upon the great
rebellion of 1641, it was considered a fortress of such consequence that
the Duke of Ormond had, in 1649, some thoughts of strengthening its
fortifications and making it his residence, but was dissuaded from doing
so by General Purcile and other officers of his army.