Carbury, County Kildare

Carbury Hill (OS Ref (IE): N685348 / Sheet: 49. Latitude: 53° 21' 32.33" N and Longitude: 6° 58' 15.71" W) is close to the source of the River Boyne that runs by Brú na Bóinne. There are the two barrows on the hill that are dated to the Bronze Age, a motte and a tower house indicating multiple usage and settlement over time.[1] The hill was at the centre of the ancient territory known as Cairbre Uí Chiardha[2](which may still be seen on signposts in the area) of the Ó Ciardha sept of the Southern Uí Néill (anglicised Carey , Carry and Keary) who were Lords of Carbury, first mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters in 952.[3] It was also a camping site used by the Irish during the United Irishmen Rebellion of 1798.

Carbury Castle Ruins, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland

Carbury Castle was first built by the Normans and the motte on the hill was probably built by Meiler FitzHenry. The central scenic focus of Carbury Hill is the ruins of the Tudor mansion of the Colleys, which was also known as Fairy Hill.[4] who was granted the area by Strongbow. It was acquired by the de Berminghams in the 14th century, from whom it passed by inheritance to the Preston family, who held the title Baron Gormanston, before being taken by the native Irish in the 15th century. The 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, John Talbot, later also Earl of Wexford, Earl of Waterford and Baron of Dungarvan, rebuilt Carbury Castle after 1428-1447.[5]

From 23 October 1554 a 21-year lease was granted to Sir Henry Colley(the patrilineal ancestor of the Dukes of Wellington);[6] this was renewed, and the Colley family built a large stronghouse on the hilltop in the 17th century, now a ruin.[7]