The arrival of the Anglo-Normans in 1169 marked the beginning of castle building in Ireland. The earliest castles, known as mottes, were built of wood and clay, and the speed of their erection coupled with the Norman's fighting skills meant that land quickly conquered could be securely held. By 1200 these fairly simple yet effective structures were already being replaced by large stone fortresses. These first stone castles were built to dominate and...
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Architecture