Trim Castle

Trim is a small town on the river Boyne in County Meath, about 30 miles north-west of Dublin in Ireland. It boasts the remains of the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. In 1172, Meath was granted to Hugh de Lacy (d1186) by king Henry II and work on Trim castle began. When de Lacy left for France in 1173, however, the previous Irish owner of the area, Ruardhi O’Connor, returned and destroyed it. In 1176 work began again, and under Hugh and his son Walter (d1241) a massive three-storey stone keep was erected, as well as a solid curtain wall and gate. The keep is of an unusual cruciform design with 20 corners.

In 1194 Walter fell out with the future king John, and was deprived of his lands. It was not until 1207 that he was able to return to Trim, having been reconciled with the king. More trouble occurred in 1224 when, following a short visit to England, he had to besiege the castle to evict his rebellious brothers. Walter’s co-heirs were his two granddaughters Margery and Maud, with Trim being awarded to Maud. She subsequently married the ‘Savoyard’, Geoffrey de Geneville (d1314) but predeceased him in 1289. In 1308 Geoffrey retired to the local friary he had founded, and ownership of Trim passed to his granddaughter Joan who was married to Roger Mortimer (d1330) later 1st earl of March. Apart from periods of confiscation, Trim remained in Mortimer hands until the 5th earl died here in 1425 at the age of 33.