Dunhill Castle

Dunhill Castle, sometimes also known as Woodstown Castle, lies south of the village of Dunhill, in County Waterford in Ireland.

Dunhill Castle, situated on a rock overlooking the valley of the meandering River Anne, is thought to have been built in the early 13th century by the Anglo-Norman La Poer (Power) family who had come to Ireland during the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland in the 1170s. The site was probably first occupied by a Celtic fort. In the 15th century a tower house was added to the earlier castle.

The Powers held Dunhill until 1649 when it was besieged and taken by the forces of Oliver Cromwell. According to legend the castle was being defended by Lady Gyles, who was left in charge while her husband, Lord John Power, was away defending another castle. Cromwell had difficulty with conquering the castle and was about to give up. One of Lady Gyles's gunners then asked for food and drink for his fellow soldiers. Lady Gyles however offered them buttermilk instead of beer. This did not go down well with the gunner. He and his fellow soldiers then laid down their weapons and opened the gates for the enemy. And even though this offered Cromwell his victory, he later described the gunner as a traitor and had him hanged.

The damaged castle and its lands were then gifted to Sir John Cole. He nor his descendants ever lived there and the castle fell into disuse. By 1700 it had turned into a ruin.

In 1912 a storm caused part of the castle ruin to collapse.

Dunhill Castle can freely be visited. A nice castle ruin offering nice views towards the ocean.

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