Castlecomer Attractions & Activities - The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020
Castlecomer (Irish: Caisleán an Chomair)is the largest town in north County Kilkenny. It has a population of just over 1,500. Caslecomer is twinned with Penvenan, France
History
There was a wooden castle on the site of Castlecomer until about 1200. This was replaced by a stone building by Earl Marshall. In 1219, his manor was granted to Sibella, the great-granddaughter of the Norman leader Strongbow. The rest of the land was owned by the local Brennan chiefs.
The land belonged to the Brennan family until 1637, when it was given to the Earl of Strafford during the plantations. He gave it to Sir Christopher Wandesford, his cousin. He argued that the Brennans' didn't have a legal right to the land, but they didn't agree. So he had to build a new castle to protect his land. He decided to build a town near the castle. Caisleán an Chumair means The castle at the confluence of the rivers. It was Ireland's first town in stone and mortar
In 1798, there was a rebellion in Enniscorthy. The family lend military aid and helped stop the rebellion. But in the end, Castlecomer was also destroyed. Afterwards, it was rebuild with the help of Lady Ann Ormonde (nee Wandesford). She restored St. Mary's church and built many of the present day buildings.
The Wandesford family started a coal mine there, which was open for over 300 years, until the 1960's.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Castlecomer
