2. THE EARLY DAYS
Millmountcastle formed part of the defences
of the town during the Siege of Drogheda by
Oliver Cromwell in 1649.
The fort's English defenders attempted to
surrender to Parliamentarian troops
under but were massacred when they gave
themselves up on September 11, 1649.
3. 1798 REBELLION
The complex was later called Richmond
Barracks. Some of the present buildings, in
the courtyard, were built in 1770. After the
unrest and rebellions of the 1790s and the
Act of Union in 1800 the complex was refortified and the present tower built.
4. IRISH CIVILWAR
The fort suffered considerable damage during
the Irish Civil War. It was occupied by AntiTreaty forces and on July 4, 1922, it became the
target of shelling by the army of the Irish Free
State.
5. SHELLING OF THE CASTLE IN 1922
The Free State Forces under Michael Collins had been given extensive support by
the British Army at the express wish of Winston Churchill who insisted that the
Republican Forces be crushed. Using the same British Army 18 pounder artillery
piece which had shelled the Republican H.Q. in the Four Courts in Dublin some days
earlier the Free State Forces bombarded Millmount fort for several hours before
the Republican garrison retreated.
6. MILLMOUNT MUSEUM
At the turn of the millenium in 2000, Millmount was opened to
the public as a meseum. Millmount Museum employs staff to
give guided tours of the historic castle which has helped the
local economy. In a few weeks time we will go on our own tour
of the museum.
