The future is uncertain for Drimnagh Castle the only remaining moated castle in Ireland.
In the south Dublin suburb of Drimnagh is Drimnagh Castle, a mediaeval three storey building which is still surrounded by a moat is the only one of its kind still existing in Ireland.
Constructed as a fortress in the thirteenth century by the de Berneval family, who later became known as the Barnwells, it was their home for four hundred years.
Local historian Hugo McCabe brings reporter Cathal O'Shannon on a tour of the castle, where features such as the original mediaeval fireplaces have stood the test of time.
These Norman people built very well.
Owners of this building throughout the centuries have left their mark in the form of renovations or improvements of one form or another.
Drimnagh Castle passed into the possession of the Christian Brothers in the 1950s. They ran a school on the site until 1956, when they moved to a new school building. The order has been unable to maintain the castle which has fallen into a state of disrepair, and it seems there is no financial assistance available to help maintain or restore the building.
This report for 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 6 January 1971. The reporter is Cathal O’Shannon.
'Newsbeat' was a half-hour feature programme presented by Frank Hall and ran for seven years from September 1964 to June 1971. 'Newsbeat' went out from Monday to Friday on RTÉ television and reported on current affairs and issues of local interest from around Ireland. The final programme was broadcast on 11 June 1971.
