Irish Tower Houses - Part 1, A History - (Irish Castle Documentary and Scenery)

A visual architectural appreciation of a selection of iconic Irish tower houses and their landscapes in Antrim, Down and Louth. Firstly through a classic 1954 guide to Ulster historic monuments, and then an analysis of their inception and evolution on the island from Glenarm based historian Hector McDonnell. The Tower House was basically a small castle, a well fortified home residence which was within the financial means of the landed warrior class family - both 'Old English' and Gaelic in origin. From here they could rule their lands and from the assured safety of an ingeniously designed, rock solid stronghold, very often tested in domestic disputes and invasion attempts.