Sat 22 Aug 2026, 10:30am – 12:00pm
Castledermot – exploring the medieval heart of a modern town
Castledermot
Category: Heritage / Walking Tours / History
Location: St James’s Church and Graveyard, Church Lane, Castledermot, County Kildare
Date: Saturday, 22 August 2026
Time: 10:30 am–12:00 pm
Price: Free
Best for: Medieval history, archaeology, architecture and guided town walks
Overview
Discover the visible and hidden traces of medieval Castledermot during a guided walking tour led by local archaeologist Dr Sharon Greene.
The walk explores how Castledermot developed from the early monastic settlement of Díseart Diarmada into an important Anglo-Norman borough and walled town. It also considers how modern development can threaten historic places, while sometimes revealing new evidence about the town’s past.
Castledermot’s medieval story
Following the Anglo-Norman invasion, the lands around the old monastery were granted to Walter de Riddlesford.
He established a borough that expanded in size and importance, and by the end of the thirteenth century Castledermot had become a walled town. Despite the Black Death, attacks associated with Edward Bruce and other periods of upheaval, it remained a significant centre where royal councils and parliaments were held.
What the tour explores
The tour looks beyond Castledermot’s modern roads and buildings to uncover the shape of the medieval settlement beneath and around the present town.
Topics are expected to include:
The early monastery of Díseart Diarmada
The development of the Anglo-Norman borough
Castledermot’s medieval walls and street pattern
Surviving archaeological and architectural features
The town’s role in medieval government and commerce
How construction and redevelopment can uncover buried archaeology
The challenge of protecting heritage within a growing modern town
Starting point
The walk begins at:
St James’s Church and Graveyard
Church Lane
Castledermot
County Kildare
The church and graveyard stand within one of the town’s most important historic areas and provide an appropriate starting point for exploring Castledermot’s early religious and medieval heritage.
About the guide
The tour is led by Dr Sharon Greene, a local archaeologist with extensive knowledge of Castledermot’s historic landscape.
Her commentary will connect surviving buildings and monuments with archaeology, documentary evidence and the changing shape of the town.
Parking and practical information
Parking is available at:
Teach Diarmada Community Centre
R14 YF61
The community centre is across the road from St James’s Church. Additional on-street parking is available within a short walk.
The event takes place outdoors, so visitors should wear comfortable footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.
Booking information
The walking tour is free and forms part of National Heritage Week 2026. The official listing does not state that advance booking is required, but contacting the organiser beforehand may be advisable if numbers are limited.
Organiser: Castledermot Local History Group
Telephone: 087 799 0867
Email: castledermothist@gmail.com