Photos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim_Castle and
http://www.nd.edu/~ikuijt/Ireland/Sites/mzawada/detail.htm

Trim Castle, Trim, County Meath, Ireland has an area of 30,000 m². It is the remains of the largest Norman castle in Europe. It was built primarily by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter.

The castle site was chosen because it is on raised ground, overlooking a fording point over the River Boyne, and although the site is about 25 miles from the Irish Sea, it was accessible in medieval times by boat up the River Boyne.

The central three-story building, called a keep, donjon or great tower, was built on the site of a previous wooden fortification that was burnt down in 1173.
It designs was uniquely cruciform in shape, with four 'towers' extending from the main structure. It was built in at least three stages, initially by Hugh de Lacy (c.1174) and then in 1195 and 1204 by Walter de Lacy.

Trim castle would have been painted and had wooden galleries, structures, and roofs that have since deteriorated. There are models of the castle at the three stages of development in the keep and these are explained during the guided tour of the structure.

This shot was taken from the view point of the medieval moat. The present keep lacks one of the towers which was destroyed in attacks by Cromwell's army - this can be seen above.

Adjusted curves and simpler frame