DRIMNAGH CASTLE, COUNTY OF DUBLIN.

Among the many objects of historical or picturesque interest in the immediate vicinity of our metropolis, there are few, perhaps, better worthy of a visit than the subject of our prefixed illustration—the old Castle of Drimnagh, which is situated between the villages of Crumlin and Clondalkin, and distant about three miles from the city. We have here presented to us an ancient castellated residence, of irregular but highly picturesque outline, still surrounded and protected by its ancient moat, and, though in good condition and inhabited, still retaining to such an extent its original character as a place of strength, that as we look upon it, we might almost imagine ourselves living in the ages of its military greatness, and belonging to a state of society very different from that secure and peaceful one in which we happily have our existence. In addition to these circumstances, the Castle of Drimnagh is highly interesting, from the beauty and picturesqueness of its situation, which is not only strikingly romantic in itself, but commands a variety of views of the most pleasing character; as the scenery of the City and Bay towards the east; that of the Park, Castleknock, and Clondalkin, towards the north; and, in congenial harmony with its ivied walls, the dark mountains of the county of Dublin towards the south—the wild fastnesses of the Irish clans whose predatory aggressions it was originally built to repress.

The date of the erection of this castle is not exactly known, but there is every reason to presume that it was originally founded as early as the reign of John, by Hugh de Bernivale, who it is probable came with that Prince into Ireland, and at all events received in 1215 a grant from him of the lands of Drimnagh and Terenure, which continued in the possession of his descendants for four centuries afterwards. It is from this Hugh de Bernivale, who, as it is said, derived his descent from the ancient Dukes of Brittany, that the several noble families of Barnwall, in Ireland, descend. He died in 1221, leaving a son and heir, Hugo, who died without issue the 8th of October 1237; and another son, Reginald, who becoming heir to his brother, had his inheritance of four carracutes of land with their appurtenances in Drimnagh and Terenure confirmed to him by patent, by king Henry III. These possessions were ultimately, and after much litigation, alienated from the family in the reign of James I, when they passed into the hands of Sir Adam Loftus, ancestor of the noble family of Ely; but Drimnagh Castle is at present the property of the Marquis of Lansdowne.

The Castle of Drimnagh has been repaired or re-edified at various times, so that it is not an easy matter to determine at present what portions of it are of great antiquity, and what are altogether of more recent date; but upon the whole it will convey a very good idea of the fortified residence of a noble family in Ireland previous to the close of the seventeenth century. During the troubles consequent upon the great rebellion of 1641, it was considered a fortress of such consequence that the Duke of Ormond had, in 1649, some thoughts of strengthening its fortifications and making it his residence, but was dissuaded from doing so by General Purcile and other officers of his army.