Roche Castle

Roche Castle
Medium: Acrylic
Subject: Roche Castle
Roche Castle or Castle Roche ("Castleroche") is a Norman castle built in 1236 AD by the De Verdun family. It commands extensive views of the surrounding country.There was once a secret passage that led to a round lookout tower.Its strong walls rendered it virtually impregnable.
The site of the castle held a strategic position on the frontier between the exclusively Gaelic province of Ulster, and the Anglo- Norman territory known as The Pale and controlled the pass into what is now South Armagh.

            Roche Castle with Donkey

#gerrysgallery Gerry's Gallery

                                    Rohesia de Verdun from Alton, England was married to Theobald le Botiller, 2nd Chief Butler of Ireland. After her husband’s sudden death  she moved to her lands in Ireland. She immediately set about fortifying the land with a castle. However, her quick tempered reputation deterred all potential architects. She then offered her hand in marriage (and thereby a share in her wealth) to the man who would build the castle to her liking. Local legend has it, after their wedding banquet in the newly completed castle, she invited her husband to the bridal suite and urged him to view their estate from the large bedroom window. Taking no chances with the castle’s secrets, she promptly pushed her new husband from the window, where he plummeted towards his death. ^[3] The window was known thereafter as the Murder Window. Rohesia became a nun in Gracedieu Priory,
The name "Castle Roche" is thought to be derived from Rohesia's Castle.
Info:From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Watercolour silhouette