Castle Roche stars in tourism video

THE HISTORY OF CASTLE ROCHE BEING TOLD IN NEW ONLINE PROMO

TOURISM Ireland has unveiled an online film called ‘Stories of Ireland’s Ancient East: The Black Widow’, featuring the ruins of Castle Roche outside Dundalk – part of Tourism Ireland’s promotional activity to highlight Ireland’s Ancient East around the world.

The short film features the stunning scenery of this part of Ireland, with storyteller Emily Collins sharing the legend of an ill-fated bridegroom and his murderous bride.

Tourism Ireland created the film to encourage prospective visitors to come and uncover the beauty and history of County Louth and Ireland’s Ancient East.

The fascinating history of the castle began with its former owners, the De Verdon family. It used to be known as ‘Castlellum de Rupe’ or de la Roche - The Castle of the rocks.

It is said that after the death of her first husband, Roesha De Verdon returned to Ireland and set about fortifying her castle in Roche. Roesha was said to have had such a bad temper that no architect was willing to work for her.

Eventually she decided to offer her own hand in marriage to the man who would build her castle and despite her temper, being a handsome and wealthy woman, the castle was soon completed.

According to folklore, on the eve of her marriage Roesha called the architect, soon to be her new husband, to their marriage quarters.

Opening the large window and looking out over her castle and lands, she is said to have invited her soon to be husband to observe what was soon to be his new found wealth.

As he looked out, Roesha promptly pushed him to his death on the rocks below.

To this very day it is said his ghost can be seen in the window.

Strangely the window, known as ‘murder window’ is blocked up from the inside.

Meanwhile its status and ownership has varied significantly over the centuries.

In the 1300s Castleroche was said to have been at the frontier of the English pale, and by the end of the Bruce Invasion in 1317 it was recorded as lying burnt out.

In more recent times it came into the hands of the Bellew family and in 1561 hosted a gathering of all English forces in Ireland.

In 1641 Castleroche was finally laid to waste by Cromwell, and left as an abandoned ruin ever since.

In modern times, the historic building came under the ownership of the Office of Public Works( OPW) and is freely open to the public.

It is hoped by featuring the fascinating history behind Castleroche in the new online promo, it will appeal to a whole new generation of tourists.

The film is being promoted through Tourism Ireland’s social platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.