The 'missing piece of the jigsaw' in the medieval walls of Fethard is now in public ownership

The fear that the missing link and the gem of the medieval wall infrastructure in Fethard could fall into private hands has now been allayed.

There is great relief among members of Fethard Community Council and Fethard Historical Society that the Court Castle and Court Inn properties in the town have been purchased by An Taisce, and safeguarded for the future.

The properties were privately owned and were put up for sale in a public auction recently. A plea made by community leaders in Fethard for the properties to be taken into public ownership was issued and there is great excitement concerning the potential that the properties have to greatly enhance the tourism potential of Fethard.

In the auction, the two properties, both protected and listed buildings in the Records of Monuments and Places, were sold as one item.

An Taisce stepped in to avert private ownership.

Fethard has the most complete medieval walled circuit of any other town in the country, and the Court Castle was considered to be the missing piece of the jigsaw and the gem of the medieval wall infrastructure in the town.

“The Templars Court Castle is the key medieval building in the town and the missing piece of the jigsaw. Fethard has the most complete medieval town wall circuit in Ireland, with over 90% of the circuit still intact and these important buildings are now in the hands of a public trust that values and understands the heritage of the town,” said a local community historian.

The main chamber of the Court Castle is on the first floor level and is 11m long by almost 7m wide and is distinguished by the presence of a rare monastic hand-washing basin in the wall. The Court Castle is the largest fortified town house in Fethard and one of he largest in Ireland from circa 1400.