15th Century Desmond Castle & International Museum of Wine, Cork Street, Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland
Image details
Contributor:
George Munday / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
CXHE6DFile size:
60.1 MB (2.7 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5504 x 3814 px | 46.6 x 32.3 cm | 18.3 x 12.7 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
15 April 2012Location:
Cork Street, Kinsale, County Cork, IrelandCork Street, Kinsale, County Cork, IrelandMore information:
The castle was built as the Customs House for Kinsale about the year 1500 by Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond, following the grant of the customs of the port of Kinsale to the Earls of Desmond by King Henry VII in 1497 It was used as a Customs House until 1641 when it was converted into a naval prison, following the construction of a new Customs House. The prisoners kept in the Castle were in the main French and Spanish, and the building became known locally as the "French Prison" as a result. In 1791, the castle was donated by James Kearney MP to the town of Kinsale, and it was subsequently used as a town gaol till 1846, and during the Irish Famine as a workhouse. In 1938, it was taken into government hands, and in the 1990s was restored and opened to the public by the Office of Public Works