Dunhill Castle — Attraction in The Municipal District of Comeragh

Steeped in history and a paradise for photographers with wild life and scenic panoramic views. The la Poer family built the Dunhill castle in the early 1200’s. There is some evidence of an earlier Celtic fort on the hilltop also. The town's name is derived from the Irish translation of the fort of the rock. The impressive silhouette comprises only about half a fifteenth century tower with bits of outer walls dating to the early thirteenth century. Between the castle and church would have stood the medieval village of Dunhill which was basically a string of wooden houses. Attached to the front of the church was a small tower in which the priest lived.

The castle had an interesting and chequered history. The la Poer’s (Power) of Dunhill were infamous in the 14th century, as they launched many attacks on Waterford City. In 1345 they destroyed the area around city but were counter-attacked, taken prisoner and hanged. The remaining members of the Power clan join forces with the O’ Driscoll family. This alliance would attack Waterford many times over the next 100 years, with both success and failure. After a defeat in Tramore in 1368 the castle passed to the Powers of Kilmeaden. It remained in their control until the Cromwellian attack on Dunhill and its first capture (legend of gunners and buttermilk) in 1649.

Once regarded as impregnable, the castle was besieged and sacked, with the outer defences destroyed as well as tower beside the church. Fate of last Lord of Dunhill and Kilmeaden, John Power, and his family were unknown. The Castle and lands were then given to Sir John Cole with the church given to Waterford Corporation. Cole and his decedents never lived in the castle and the church was disused, with the result that timbers rotted and both fell into ruins during the 1700’s. More deterioration was recorded in 1912 when the east wall of the castle collapsed...

We visited the Dunhill Castle of the Anne Valley walk from Annestown. The ruins are stark and impressive as you approach. And, the castle architecture itself is something to behold.

Looking out over the valley today, it's hard to believe that the castle looked out over the bridge crossing the sea and estuary until the 1940s.

If you don't walk to take the walk, there is a large car park below. It's a short steep walk or a slightly longer, more gentle incline up to the castle itself. Well worth your...

Short, steep climb. Not suitable for buggies or people with mobility issues. Dirt path, then steep concrete steps back to grassy path. Dunhill, " Fort of the Rock" is aptly named. Stunning location, views from the first floor are amazing but access isn't great. Regardless, if you don't climb to the upper level, views are awesome anyway, and the stonework in the ceiling on the ground level is incredible. Path up begins directly from the...