The Castle from Braveheart
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (381837)
Rockingham, Australia
November 7, 2015 9:26pm CST
Those of you who have seen the film Braveheart may be interested to know that Trim Castle in Co. Meath, Ireland, was the site chosen for the castle scenes.
The medieval town of Trim in Co. Meath, Ireland was enclosed within a stone wall built in 1359. Tram Castle is the largest Norman castle in Ireland and stands on the south bank of the River Boyne. It has an area of 30,000 square metres. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built the castle over a period of 30 years. It was completed around 1224, another date which blows me away considering Australia's history – or lack of it. At one time it was occupied by Oliver Cromwell and his troops.
Entries to the town were protected by gate towers. The only one remaining is called the Sheep Tower, possibly because sheep were brought to market through it.
If you watch the slideshow, you'll see some views from the top of the castle. The photo that looks like it should have been deleted shows metal strapping down the walls. These protect the castle if it is hit by lightning (don't ask me how). Perhaps one of the clever people on MyLot can tell us.
There is a photo showing scratchings on a stone block which means graffiti was alive and well centuries ago. In the chapel area, a tabernacle of stone has been incorporated into the wall with hollows in the stone to hold oil or holy water. As you can see it was a lovely day. We seemed to snag good weather almost all the time we were away.
I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (http://www.youtube.com/upload)
13 people like this
14 responses
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
8 Nov 15
In a way it is sad that the USA really doesn't relish their past. We have many 'old' places torn down to build homes and condos. Just recently a landmark in Fort Lauderdale was torn down to make a water park!! ARGH!!!
4 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Nov 15
You are 100% correct. If it was built before WWII, it is not considered historic, but old and in need of replacement. Horrible.
2 people like this
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
9 Nov 15
I hate hearing and seeing things like that happening.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Nov 15
@Pattitude Me too. I love the history enjoyed by other places. We have erased most of ours in California.
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
8 Nov 15
That would be an interesting place to visit. I am a descendant of Longshanks, sorry to say. One time, I met a descendant of William Wallace's brother. It was awkward!
2 people like this
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
8 Nov 15
@JudyEv If you have ever seen Braveheart, Longshanks is King Edward, a not so nice guy!
1 person likes this
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
8 Nov 15
@JudyEv Have you ever seen Braveheart? William Wallace is Braveheart. I would not have known so many details had I not discovered my medieval roots.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
8 Nov 15
great castle - Braveheart is notorious as a very inaccurate historic movie for its gross distortions of the facts but it is fun to watch
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
8 Nov 15
@JudyEv oh yes though this one more than most
1 person likes this
@Pattitude (1286)
• Newton, North Carolina
8 Nov 15
It is very inaccurate. King Edward III's wife, Philippa did not bear a child by William Wallace like the movie states. She had a long-time lover, Roger Mortimer, that is allegedly the father of her baby. And they supposedly killed her husband and acted as co-regents for their child, who inherited the crown (if memory serves correctly)
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23978)
• United Kingdom
8 Nov 15
I have not been to Ireland yet. Perhaps one day I shall get there! My daughter flew there this morning!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 15
I hope she enjoys it although I guess it's starting to get wetter and colder now. We were very lucky with the weather. It is so lush it doesn't take much rain for everything to turn to mud.
@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
8 Nov 15
You really do need to think about history differently in Europe - there is so much evidence of how people lived, worked and fought across twenty centuries or more. Everything seems so new by comparison in our part of the world. (40,000 years of residency notwithstanding.)
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
8 Nov 15
I so appreciate all of your posts from your trip. I can imagine myself standing in the castle now thinking about my Irish ancestors.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 15
What a lovely comment! These posts are a great way to get my photos in order and something written about each site.
@connierebel (1557)
• United States
8 Nov 15
I've never seen the movie Braveheart, but I'm always interested in reading about castles. That is great that you actually got to visit it! I would LOVE to visit medieval castles in the British Isles and Europe, if I ever get the money.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 15
The first time I went overseas all I wanted to do was see a castle! I was so excited! I've seen a few now but they still fascinate me.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
8 Nov 15
We were in Meath and went to Kells and now I so wish we had made it to Trim as well. I love castle ruins.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
9 Nov 15
@JudyEv I did visit the Rock of Cashel on my first visit and it was a wonderful surprise. I had a family connection to the site.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
8 Nov 15
wowzers! that's such'a beautiful 'n somewhat intimidatin' sight to behold, eh? i told the hubs'f yer visit 'n he joins me in wishin' to see it in person. so many beautiful castles 'n such in those parts 'n scotland...perhaps one day? yepperz, the weather looked jest divine!
i'm figurin' that metal acts 's a lightnin' rod, though a bit odd compared to the get-ups we put up 'round these parts.
thanks fer 'nother fabulously informative discussion 'n gorgeous slideshow ~ big 
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91013)
• United States
8 Nov 15
That must have been exciting to see the castle from the movie Braveheart. I remember that movie well but didn't know the history behind it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 15
We went to quite a few places that were associated with different movies. All grist for the tourist mill!
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 15
I really need to watch the film myself now. I'm sure I'd find it more interesting watching out for bits I recognised.
