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Baggotrath Castle today

Ireland · Demolished

Baggotrath Castle

Baggotrath Castle was a medieval castle built in the late 13th century on what is now Baggot Street in Dublin. It belonged to the Bagod and later the Fitzwilliam families and was largely destroyed during the 1649 siege of Dublin; the remaining ruins were removed in the early 19th century.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1640

Today

Demolished

As it stood in 1640

What Baggotrath Castle looked like in its prime.

A compact stone fortress set close to a town roadway, dominated by a rectangular keep or tower with a crenellated parapet and at least one attached projecting tower; thick grey masonry curtain walls incorporate an arched gatehouse entrance leading into an inner ward. Narrow vertical slits puncture the upper walls; the castle sits on flat urban ground with low houses and lanes nearby rather than a rural motte or island.

Its story

The story of Baggotrath Castle.

Baggotrath Castle stood on what is now Upper Baggot Street in Dublin. It was built in the late 13th century by the Bagod, later Baggot, family, for whom it was named: Sir Robert Bagod, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas, bought the lands from Nicholas de Hyntenberge about 1280 and raised the castle.

Ownership passed to the Fitzwilliam family, later Viscounts Fitzwilliam, who held it for much of its history. Sir Edward Perrers acquired it in the early 15th century; the castle passed to his widow Joanna on their only son's death in 1428, and after her executor James Cornwalsh took possession, bitterly resented by Perrers's daughter Ismaye, who had married into the Fitzwilliams of Dundrum, it reverted to the Fitzwilliam family.

In the English Civil War it was described as 'the strongest fortress near Dublin', and in July 1649, as Ormonde advanced on the city, it was largely destroyed on the eve of the Battle of Rathmines. The Fitzwilliams, who also owned Merrion Castle, made no effort to restore it; Dublin Corporation demolished the last ruins in the early 19th century, and no trace survives today.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1640.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Baggotrath Castle, including 2 interiors: gatehouse arch and passage, inner courtyard / ward. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Upper Baggot Street (roadside view)Gatehouse arch and passageInner courtyard / wardBase of the keep (exterior)Battlement walk and parapetFlank view from Baggotrath Lane

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Whose castle

Clans who held Baggotrath Castle.

The families that held Baggotrath Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Bagod

    Built the castle c. 1280 under Sir Robert Bagod, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas; the castle and district took the family's name.

  • Fitzwilliam

    Owned by the Fitzwilliam family, later Viscounts Fitzwilliam, for much of the castle's history.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Baggotrath Castle.

Lansdowne Road, IrelandStadiumLansdowne Road1 km awayAviva Stadium, IrelandStadiumAviva Stadium1 km awayLeinster House, IrelandPalaceLeinster House1 km away

Questions about Baggotrath Castle

What is the history of Baggotrath Castle?

Baggotrath Castle was built in the late 13th century by the Bagod family, after Sir Robert Bagod bought the lands about 1280. Ownership later passed to the Fitzwilliam family and then briefly to Sir Edward Perrers before reverting to the Fitzwilliams. The castle was largely destroyed during the siege of Dublin in 1649, and its remaining ruins were demolished in the early 19th century.

Why was Baggotrath Castle built, and what was it used for?

Baggotrath Castle was built as a fortified castle and was later regarded as the strongest fortress near Dublin. Its thick curtain walls, gatehouse and inner ward served a defensive purpose, while its ownership by the Bagod and Fitzwilliam families reflects its role as a significant family stronghold. It was not later converted into a palace, prison or museum.

Where is Baggotrath Castle?

Baggotrath Castle stood on what is now Upper Baggot Street in Dublin. It was probably located at present-day 44–46 Upper Baggot Street, facing Waterloo Road. Baggotrath Lane preserves the castle’s name.

When was Baggotrath Castle built?

Baggotrath Castle was built in the late 13th century. Its first-raised year is not recorded, although Sir Robert Bagod purchased the lands about 1280 and raised the castle. The supplied material therefore supports a late-13th-century date rather than a precise construction year.

Was Baggotrath Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Yes, Baggotrath Castle was attacked and largely destroyed during the siege of Dublin in July 1649. Parliamentary forces under Colonel Michael Jones partly destroyed it before James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, advanced on Dublin, and later attacked the castle with about 5,000 men. The Royalist force failed to secure it, and most of its soldiers were killed or captured.

Which family or clan held Baggotrath Castle?

The Bagod family held Baggotrath Castle first, building it about 1280 under Sir Robert Bagod. Ownership later passed to the Fitzwilliam family, later Viscounts Fitzwilliam, who held it for much of the castle’s history.

What did Baggotrath Castle look like in its prime?

Baggotrath Castle was a compact stone fortress with a rectangular keep or tower, a crenellated parapet and at least one projecting tower. Thick grey masonry curtain walls enclosed an inner ward and incorporated an arched gatehouse entrance. Narrow vertical slits pierced the upper walls, and the castle stood on flat urban ground beside roads and low houses.

Is Baggotrath Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Baggotrath Castle no longer stands; it was demolished and no trace survives today. It was largely destroyed during the siege of Dublin in 1649, and the remaining ruins stayed on the site until the early 19th century, when Dublin Corporation demolished them to allow the extension of Baggot Street.

Who built Baggotrath Castle?

Baggotrath Castle was built by Sir Robert Bagod, Chief Justice of the Irish Common Pleas, about 1280. He purchased the lands from Nicholas de Hyntenberge and raised the castle for the Bagod family, whose name it later carried.

Can you visit Baggotrath Castle?

Baggotrath Castle cannot be visited as a surviving castle because its ruins were demolished in the early 19th century and no trace remains. The site was probably at present-day 44–46 Upper Baggot Street, facing Waterloo Road. Baggotrath Lane preserves the castle’s name, but the castle itself is no longer standing.

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