THE Castle of Kildare was built by William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, about the beginning of the 13th century. The Earl had married Strongbow’s daughter and so claimed the title, Lord of Leinster.

William built his castle on the Church lands of Kildare, without the Bishop’s consent. Later his descendants were obliged to pay a rent of ten marks to the Bishops of Kildare. If this rent was not paid on the day appointed, the Castle Bailiff was excommunicated until the rent was paid.

In 1294, Calvagh O’Connor captured the Castle and seems to have held it until 1307, when he was defeated and the Castle re-taken by the Normans. The following year Calvagh was treacherously slain by Peter Bermingham.

In 1316, the Castle was granted by Edward II to Thomas Fitzgerald, whom he also created Earl of Kildare, in recognition of his services to the King during the Bruce Invasion, 1315-1318.

Through the piety of Elizabeth, Countess of Kildare, the Castle became a home and refuge for persecuted Catholics in the early 17th century.

About the year 1540 the Castle was burned by O’Connor. In 1643 it was repaired and a garrison established there. In 1647, Col. Jones captured it but shortly afterwards it was retaken by the Irish, who held it until 1649. Subsequently it was the residence of the Fitzgerald family. The last member of the family to reside there was the patriotic and brave Lord Edward. At present one tower of the once famous Castle is all that remains.