Castle Roche

Castle Roche ("Castleroche") is a Norman castle located some 10 km (7 miles) north-west of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland. It was the seat of the De Verdun family (also spelt De Verdon), who built the castle in 1236 AD.

It is built upon a large rocky outcrop and commands extensive views of the surrounding country. Together with a deep moat its strong walls rendered it virtually impregnable. A secret passage once connected the castle to a round tower outpost. St. Ronan's Well lies nearby.

History

The De Verdun family of Belton, Leicestershire and Alton, Staffordshire had a history in the region, Bertram de Verdun arriving as part of John's first expedition to Ireland. By 1185 he had erected a manor house at Castletown Mount and subsequently obtained the town's charter in 1189.