As a society we have a clear vision of ‘how’, ‘why’ and ‘what’ we want to achieve for our castle and local heritage. Here are some of our primary goals, which we intend to complete over the coming months and years.
‘The Castle of the Island Society’ plan to celebrate the upcoming 800 year anniversary of the castle. This significant event will be entitled ‘1226 to 2026’: The 800 Year Anniversary of Castleisland Castle’. The society plan to undertake a series of tasks, as part of this magnificent milestone event. The main tasks include:
- Future Task– An Artist’s impression of the castle:
The work of J.G. O Donoghue is simply amazing. How spectacular would it be to commission J.G. to create an artist’s impression of Castleisland Castle? It could/will be used in future publications about the castle, as well as for educational and tourism purposes.
Click to enter his website here to see more samples
- Future Task– To commission a wall mural (painting) of the castle:
Imagine you are walking through Castleisland town today, suddenly you are stopped in your tracks by a magnificent sight, a striking wall mural of what the castle looked like during its ‘hay day’. This is a task we intend to undertake. It will offer the local people and visitors alike, a greater sense of the castle’s once majestic appearance. A suitable sculptor called William Ruane has been identified.
Click here to enter his website and to see more samples
- Future Task– Outdoor Display Boards:
We also intend to erect a series of outdoor display boards, like the sample below. A brief ‘Historical Timeline’ of the castle can be displayed, as well as a ‘Conjectural Reconstruction’ of the castle.
Click on the link here to see more information.
- Future Task– A 3D model of the Castle:
We intend to hire a specialist to create a 3D model of Castleisland Castle, in a similar style to that seen in Maynooth Castle (OPW site), County Kildare.
Click on the link here to see more samples.
- Future Task– A Virtual Tour of the Castle:
Another way of using modern technology to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the physical layout of Castleisland Castle, would be to generate a Virtual Tour of the castle. How magnificent would that be? Spectacular work has been done in relation to Kilcolman Castle in County Cork. (Click here to learn more)
Click on the website here to view the Virtual Tour of Kilcolman Castle.
- Future Task– LiDAR Scanning for archaeological remains and Laser Scanning:
In the future, how wonderful would it be to discover lost archaeological remains beneath the surface of Castleisland. Sometimes, lost or ‘deserted medieval villages’ have been discovered using LiDAR scanning. In Castleisland, we could possibly discover the outline of buildings relating to the castle, which have been destroyed above ground, but are preserved below ground.
Click on the link here for more details.
On the other hand, ‘Laser Scanning’ is an excellent method of preserving the upstanding remains in outstanding detail.
Click here to enter attain more information on Laser Scanning.
- Future Task– A statue of the 14th Earl of Desmond-Gerald Fitzgerald (d.1583).
Gerald Fitzgerald, better known as the ‘Rebel Earl’, was brutally beheaded in the nearby woods of Glanageenty, in November 1583. It would be a fitting tribute to his chaotic life and sacrifice, if a bronze memorial statue (depicting Gerald), could be placed in a public space in Castleisland town.
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Please feel free to contact the society by email (thecastleoftheisland@gmail.com) if you are willing to support our voluntary cause in anyway. Many thanks.
Robert McGuire