Desmond Castle (Caisleán Deasmhumhan) was built as the Customs House for Kinsale in 1500 by Maurice FitzGerald, 9th Earl of Desmond.
In 1641 it was converted into a naval prison, containing mostly French and Spanish prisoners. It therefore became known locally as the “French Prison”.
During the Great Famine, Desmond Castle was used as a workhouse but by the early decades of the 20th Century it had fallen into decay.
It was declared a National Monument in 1938 and today houses the International Museum of Wine Exhibition, an intriguing story that documents the unique history of Ireland’s wine links with Europe and the wider world.
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Video By: Atomic Kinship
Music Credit: “Denis Murphy’s Polka. I’ll Tell Me Ma. John Ryan’s Polka” by Sláinte
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