Tyrrellspass Castle

Tyrrellspass Castle is a medieval tower house located in the village of Tyrrellspass, County Westmeath, Ireland. Constructed around 1411, it stands as the sole surviving fortress of the Tyrrell family, who arrived in Ireland during the Norman Invasion. The structure rises approximately twenty metres high and exemplifies classic defensive architecture with stone walls and superimposed chambers. Notable original features include a spiral staircase and a murder-hole situated by the entrance, designed to repel intruders. Remarkably, an exposed roof beam dating back to 1280 remains visible within the building, predating the main castle construction.

The site holds significant historical importance, particularly regarding the 1597 Battle of Tyrrellspass, where Captain Richard Tyrrell secured a major victory against English crown forces. During the Cromwellian invasion of 1650, the castle's occupants faced severe hardship and execution before the property was acquired by the Rochfort family, later known as the Earls of Belvedere. The estate served as an army barracks in the late eighteenth century and passed through various owners, including the explorer Charles Howard-Bury, before undergoing extensive restoration in the 1970s by architect Philip Ginnell.

In the early 1990s, the historic structure was converted for commercial use and currently operates as the Tyrrellspass Castle Restaurant. While functioning as a modern dining establishment, it retains its heritage by hosting medieval banquets for visitors. This adaptive reuse has preserved the architectural integrity of the tower house while allowing the public to experience its rich history. Today, it serves as both a functional business and a tangible link to the region's turbulent past, maintaining its status as a prominent landmark in County Westmeath.