Trim Castle to feature in new TV3 series

Trim Castle is to feature in 'Tales of Irish Castles' a six-part series documenting Ireland’s most historically significant structures. Presented by Simon Delaney, the series takes the audience on a journey throughout the island of Ireland, where more castles were built than in the rest of the British Isles combined.

Starting in the 11th century, Tales of Irish Castles documents these magnificent stone structures and the stories contained within their walls, bringing them to life through specially shot re-enactments, archive footage and contributions from Ireland’s leading historians, archaeologists, castle owners and dwellers.

The series premiere explores some of the earliest Norman castles in Ireland including Dublin Castle, Trim Castle, Carrickfergus Castle in Antrim, King John’s Castle in Limerick, which was built by the king to stop growing power of British lords and Ashford Castle in Mayo, now a 5* star hotel.

It also features exclusive home movie footage of the legendary American actor John Wayne, who stayed at Ashford Castle when he was filming John Ford’s The Quiet Man with Maureen O'Hara.

Other Irish Castles featured throughout the series include; Luttrellstown in Dublin, Kilkenny Castle, Dunamaise Castle in Laois, Clonony, Birr, Charleville and Leap Castles in Offaly, Cahir Castle in Tipperary, Dunluce Castle in Antrim, Aughrim Castle in Galway, Tullynally Castle in Westmeath, Castle Leslie in Monaghan, and Blarney Castle in Cork.

Simon Delaney said: “Castles are an extremely significant part of Irish heritage and every Irish Castle has its own fascinating history going back hundreds of years. Our aim is to uncover the raw beauty and remarkable past of olden day Ireland by bringing viewers behind the walls of some of Ireland’s most exclusive castles and exploring the history that surrounds them.”