Celtic Castles

by Martin J. Dougherty

Some of the most romantic castles in the world are found in the British Isles and Ireland. These strongholds may now largely be ruined, but in their dilapidation they have gained an air of mystery and beauty. The people they once protected are gone, the borders they guarded have dissolved, the fragile communities and wooden buildings that built up around them have been dismantled. Only the castles, centuries on, remain – proof of how robustly they were constructed in the first place. From the tip of southern Ireland to northern Scotland, from castles maintained over the centuries to ones that are now mere ruins, Celtic Castles celebrates the stories behind more than 100 strongholds. In these we find tales of religious dissent, of English Parliamentarians attacking Irish Catholic refuges, of warring Scottish clans, of the English and Scots fighting over Scottish independence. And in the buildings we find such curiosities as Britain’s only triangular castle or the hiding place for the Scottish crown jewels. With 150 outstanding colour photographs, Celtic Castles is a brilliant pictorial examination of worlds gone by.

Genres: Travel

224 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Hailing from northeast England, Martin J Dougherty is a professional writer specialising in military history. He has been at times a games designer, an engineer, a self-protection instructor, a teacher and a defence analyst. Martin has published a range of books covering topics as diverse as self-protection, medieval warfare and space flight, and has addressed international conferences on anti-shipping missiles and homeland security issues.

Martin's interests include martial arts and fencing. He has coached Fencing, Ju-Jitsu, Self-Defence and Kickboxing for many years at the University of Sunderland, and has competed to national level as a fencer. As a martial artist he holds black belts in Combat Ju-Jitsu, Nihon Tai-Jitsu and Self-Defence. Martin is a Senior Assessor with the Self-Defence Federation and an IL1 instructor/assessor with the Britsh Federation for Historical Swordplay, specialising in the Military Sabre and the Smallsword.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book depicting Celtic castles and presented in chronological order. Most were built upon previous fortifications, which if known, were also briefly mentioned within each caption. Mostly a picture book, I was easily able to read it in one day. Pictures are stunning.

[Vicky Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely collection of castles and ruins, these cover much of the world of the ancient Celts. Historic locations are found all over Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. The photos are very nicely done in full color, and many are two page spreads. I recommend this for lovers of archeology and medieval castles. Mine is a large hardback edition, but the castle on the cover does not match the one pictured here. I think the pub year was different or something.

[Andressa Da Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a beautiful book with wonderful images and explains a good bit of history

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful full-page photographs of old European castles--both abandoned and still occupied. My parents picked this book up in Ireland, and I used it on an architecture project I was doing about Irish castles... But still just a great read or coffee table book. Highly recommend.