Michael J. Carroll

ISBN 0951941550

Paperback. 200 pages. 16 Black and White illustrations. 6 Colour photos. 3 detailed maps. Published June 2004. First Edition.

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This is a comprehensive and in-depth study of Kerry during the Middle Ages. The fortresses and Tower houses are discussed against the background of the turbulent history of Kerry and Desmond.

With an introduction covering the history of Kerry from the Viking invasions to the Cromwellian Confiscations it gives an insight into the decline of the clans and later that of the great Anglo Norman families. These were centuries of perpetual discord and strife when families were divided and brother fought brother, son fought father, and when chieftains slept uneasy in their beds. They feared death more from their own family members than from their enemies, whether other Irish clans, the Anglo Normans or the English. There were short interludes of peace but nothing more that twenty years during those centuries.

During the 16^th century the palatinate of the Geraldines which embraced most of Kerry was regarded as a mini-kingdom, like Milan , Florence , and Venice . After the signing of the Treaty of Dingle between the Earl of Desmond and the Spanish monarch, Carlos V, who was also Holy Roman Emperor the palatinate was accepted as a part of the Spanish Kingdom and was referred to as ‘ Spain to the North ’ . Thus the Irish were accepted as citizens of Spain . This treaty could be thought of as a precursor to the European Union.

In addition to the details and history of the castles this work also contains legends, stories and tales which most people will find more interesting than the use of bulls ’ blood for mortar. There are tales of mermaids turning into human beings, ghosts walking the parapets, monster dogs, screams of the tortured echoing from the ruined old dungeons and the appearances of some dead chieftains riding through the countryside on certain nights of the year.

This book should be of interest to every family in Ireland and to all those interested in Irish and European history.