Castle Roche is a Norman castle was the seat of the de Verdun family who built the castle in 1236 AD. [1]

Located 10 km (7 miles) northwest of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland, Castle Roche is located on a large and steep-sided rocky outcrop with a commanding view of the surrounding area.

A deep moat and thick walls rendered it virtually impregnable. A secret passage may have once connected the castle to a round tower outpost.

The castle’s layout is nearly triangular with a large central courtyard inside the walls. A bailey separated from the castle to the north controlled entrance to the castle and the bridge between its two large bastion towers.

Although ruined the internal layout of the castle is visible, with a two- or three-story hall in the south sections along with remains other structures.

Castle Roche held a strategic position on the border between the then Gaelic province of Ulster, and the Anglo-Norman territory known as The Pale. The castle controlled the pass into what is now South Armagh.

Castle Roche was known as ‘Castellum de Rupe’ or ‘Castle on the Rock’ due to its strategic location. The de Verdun family owned the site for four centuries. Nicholas de Verdun (who died in 1316), a younger brother of Theobald II de Verdun, was in charge during the Bruce Invasion by Edward Bruce, brother of Robert the Bruce.

A gathering of English forces in Ireland took place here in 1561. The castle was ruined in 1641, during the Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland.

A Guide (With Warnings) For Visiting Castle Roche Near Dundalk https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/cast… Sources and credits: De Verdun family history https://web.archive.org/web/201603031… Castle Roche photo Creative Commons, by Hazazzy, uploaded 6 April 2010. The Majestic Ruin of Castle Roche