Desmond Hall
Description
Welcome to the official Facebook page for Desmond Hall an OPW managed site West Limerick preserves many of Ireland's surviving spacious medieval halls. The Desmond Banqueting Hall is an imposing two-storey structure and was used by the Earls of Desmond for banqueting and entertainment. The Hall, vaulted lower chamber and adjoining tower were all constructed during the 15th century (the hall and chamber were built on the remains of a 13th century structure of similar size). Its restored medieval features include and oak musicians' gallery and a limestone hooded fireplace.
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RECENT FACEBOOK POSTS
facebook.comSeasonal Guides / Information Officer
Do you have what it takes to be a tour guide at Desmond Hall or Listowel Castle? - are you passionate about Irish History and heritage? Do you like meeting new people? Do you want a job for Summer 2017? If so we are recruiting tour guides now - apply now by following this link: https://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/campaignAdvert/34538.htm
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Hello All - The OPW are looking for tour guides to work at Desmond Hall for the 2017 tourist season. Applications will open this coming Thursday 6th October 2016 and will close on Thursday 27th October 2016. The jobs for "Seasonal Guides / Informational Officers" will be advertised on www.publicjobs.ie . So any interested should register on the site and make an application once the positions are advertised.
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Hello All - we had a great season again at Desmond Hall with just over 10,000 visitors this summer. The castle is officially closed for the winter but can be opened for guided tours by special request to padraig.oruairc @opw.ie. We will be re-opening in May 2017 and hope the site will be just as busy again next year. Thanks for all your help and support in 2016 - see you in 2017!
Paul Dunworth Guitar
Hello All - dont forget that as part of our National Heritage Week Celebrations local musician Paul Dunworth will launch his new album the poet at 5pm this Sunday 28th - admission is free and all are welcome. http://www.pauldunworth.com/
Tunes at the UICC: John Brosnan's and the Munster Bank
Love traditional Irish music ??? - then dont miss out! Make sure to come to Desmond Hall Castle today Sunday 21st August at 4pm because concertina player Patrick Egan and piper & whistle player Nicola Stathers will be giving a performance of traditional Irish airs in the medieval banqueting hall. Admission is free and all are welcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmR0l9S1-AE
Photos from Desmond Hall's post
Hello all - Here are some photos from our "wounds & warfare" living history event which was held in Desmond Hall yesterday and saw reenactors from the Bran Dubh Living History group give displays throughout the day on medieval weaponry, armor and medical devices. Despite the wet weather we had a great turnout with about 100 people visiting for the event. Don't forget to check out heritageweek.ie for more details of our free Heritage Week programme.
Twenty-five things to do during National Heritage Week
The Irish Times has just selected this sunday's traditional music recital in Desmond Hall Castle Newcastle West as one of the top 25 things to do during National Heritage Week! Its happening this Sunday August 21st, at 4pm when concertina player Pádraig Mac Aodhagain and uilleann piper Nicola Stathers will play a selection of traditional Irish airs in the atmospheric surroundings of the medieval banquet hall. Admission free, no booking is required and all are welcome. See you there?
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Come to Desmond Hall Castle, Newcastle West this Friday 19th August at 8pm for our lecture "The eyes of Ireland - how blindness affected famous men and women in Irish History" which will be given by Dr. Tim Horgan who will use his unique insight as an optometrist and a historian to explain how the lives of famous Irish figures such as Jonathan Swift, James Joyce and Eamon de Valera were affected by their eyesight. You might even discover why the leader of the 1916 Rising, Patrick Pearse, always had his photograph taken in profile ... Admission is free and all are welcome so please come along and help us celebrate National Heritage Week.
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Hunting Pokemon at Desmond Hall! Attention all Pokemon Go fans - a whole host of Pokemon including Pikachoo, Squirdle and Bulbasaur have been spotted at Desmond Hall Castle and around the square at Newcastle West. Like regular visits and guided tours it's completely free of charge to come to the castle and we are currently open 7 days a week - so now there is another great reason to call by. BUT when hunting Pokemon on the site please make sure to take care as there are uneven surfaces and low doorways on site. Happy hunting!
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Hello All - Don't forget our 1916 lecture series is still running at Desmond Hall Castle in Newcastle West. This Thursday, 21st July @7.30pm Dr. Conor Morrisey from Trinity College Dublin will give a talk on the role of Protestant Republicans in the 1916 Rising. Admission is free and all are welcome so we hope to see ye there!
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Come to Desmond Hall Castle in Newcastle West tomorrow night (Thursday 30th June) @ 7.30pm to hear Helen Littion talk about the life of Edward Daly the Limerick man who led the Four Courts Garrison during the 1916 Rising. Helen Litton is Dalys grandniece as well as his biographer so she will bring a unique insight and expertise in her lecture. Admission is completely free of charge and all are welcome.
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Don't forget our lecture series "Who fears to speak of Easter Week?" organised to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising is still continuing at Desmond Hall, Newcastle West. This Thursday 23rd June at 7.30pm Dr. John O' Callaghan of NUIG will give a talk on the West Limerick republican leader Con Colbert who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising. Admission is free and all are welcome. See you there!
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