Norman Tower

Who built the Norman Tower? A gruff voice startled some of us, a burly man in a tweed cap squinting up at the stone. Our guide smiled. “A good question! We’re looking at the Record Tower, part of Dublin Castle. But the ‘Norman’ part of the name refers to the folks who built the original castle way back in 1204, on the orders of King John of England. This sturdy tower is one of the few bits left from that time.” He gestured towards the imposing structure. “This Norman Tower has seen a lot. It originally stood at the southeast corner of the city, right where the River Poddle met the Liffey.” He pointed towards the now much smaller river. “The Poddle used to be a lot wider, offering excellent protection.” The tower loomed over us, its thick walls whispering tales of the past. The guide continued, explaining how it had served as a high-security prison. “Imagine being locked up here,” he said, his voice echoing slightly, “with walls almost five meters thick.” Yet, despite these formidable defenses, there were daring escapes. “In 1592, Red Hugh O’Donnell, along with Art and Henry O’Neill, managed to break free. They slid down a toilet chute! Now, that’s a story for the ages!” He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Today, the Norman Tower, or Record Tower as it’s properly known, stands as a reminder of Dublin’s rich history. It’s nestled between the Chapel Royal and the Revenue Museum, a silent witness to centuries of change.” He paused, letting us take in the weight of history embodied in the ancient stones. “From Viking fort to Norman stronghold, this tower has truly seen it all.”