Welcome to Castledermot

Castledermot, in Co. Kildare, is a small but very special townland with a long history. Hundreds of years ago, around the year 800, people built an early Christian settlement here. That means it's one of the oldest towns in Ireland!

Have you heard of Round Towers? They are tall, skinny towers made from stone. Castledermot has one of these, plus some really old stone crosses. They were made by skilled artists who lived in the town all those years ago.

One of the most exciting things in Castledermot is the ruins of a castle! It was built by the Normans, who came to Ireland around the year 1100. The townland got its name from this castle. 'Castle-dermot' means Dermot's Castle. Dermot MacMurrough was a king of Leinster, and it's after him the townland is named.

Even though it's small, Castledermot is packed with history. Every building, stone, and path has a story to tell. It helps us remember the people who lived in Ireland long before us. Next time you visit, imagine being in the shoes of the people who built that castle or carved those stone crosses. What a journey back in time!

  1. What do we know about the early history of Castledermot?
  2. What are Round Towers and what can be found in Castledermot?
  3. Who was Dermot MacMurrough and why is he important to the townland's name?
  4. If you could travel back in time to when the castle in Castledermot was built, what questions would you ask the people building it?
  5. Why do you think it's important to learn about the history of places like Castledermot?

All About Castledermot

Castledermot, a charming village in County Kildare, is full of exciting places to explore. Picture this: You're standing on Main Street, the heart of the village, surrounded by cute little shops and houses. The River Lerr flows right through Castledermot, like a shiny blue ribbon. It's home to ducks and fishes, so keep an eye out for them when you pass by! Tall, green trees line the river, providing homes for chirping birds. In Castledermot, you'll also find beautiful old ruins, like St. James's Church and Castledermot Round Tower. These ancient sites are like stepping stones back in time. The Round Tower is like a giant pencil pointing to the sky, isn't it? There are no mountains in Castledermot, but lots of green fields and farms where cows and sheep roam freely, munching on the lush grass. And guess what? This place is also famous for its lovely flowers, especially wild roses and bluebells that bloom in spring. So, if you're visiting, don't forget to take a whiff of these magical blossoms. Castledermot is indeed a special place, full of natural beauty and enchanting history!

  1. What river flows through Castledermot and what wildlife can you spot there?
  2. Describe the old ruins that can be found in Castledermot. What are they like?
  3. Explore Castledermot yourself and find something of geographical interest. What did you find and why is it interesting?
  4. Using a map of County Kildare, identify where Castledermot is located. What other places are nearby?
  5. What types of landscapes can you find in Castledermot? Describe them.

My Family and Castledermot

Hi, I'm Finley, and I'm 8 years old. I live in a pretty cool place called Castledermot, in Co. Kildare. You might not have heard of it, but it's special to me. We've got some really neat stuff here.

One of my favourite places to go is the Castledermot Round Tower. It's super old, like a thousand years or something! It's tall and I like to imagine it's a giant's castle. I like to play knights and princesses with my friends there, it's super fun.

We also have these cool ancient crosses near the tower. They're covered in carvings and I like to trace them with my fingers. Mum says they tell stories from a long time ago. I think it's like having a comic book made of stone.

There's a river too, the River Lerr. It's not too big, but I like to throw stones in it and watch the ripples. It's kinda peaceful, you know?

So, that's me and my town. It may not be big, but it's my home and I love it here. I hope you can visit us someday!

  1. What is your favorite place in Castledermot and why?
  2. Can you describe the Castledermot Round Tower?
  3. What do you think the carvings on the ancient crosses might tell us?
  4. How does the River Lerr make you feel and why?
  5. If you could invite someone to visit Castledermot, who would it be and where would you take them?

The Logainm of Castledermot

Castledermot is located in County Kildare, Ireland. The word 'Castledermot' is actually made up of two parts. The first part is 'Castle', which is English and means a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack. The second part is 'Dermot', which in Irish is 'Diarmuid'. So, the name 'Castledermot' means 'Castle of Diarmuid'.

Now, who was this Diarmuid? Diarmuid was an important man who lived a long, long time ago. He was the king of Leinster, one of the four provinces of Ireland. His castle was probably an important place where he made big decisions and looked after his people.

Today, Castledermot is still a special place. People live, work, and go to school there. It has a rich history which is remembered and celebrated by its people. The name is a reminder of the time when King Diarmuid used to rule. So, next time you hear the name 'Castledermot', you'll know it's not just a place, but a story that goes back hundreds of years.

  1. What does the name 'Castledermot' mean?
  2. What language is the word 'Dermot' from?
  3. Who was Diarmuid?
  4. Why do you think the place is named after Diarmuid's castle?
  5. How is the history of Castledermot still remembered today?

Slideshow - Castledermot
A full set of teaching plans for teaching about Castledermot