Located on the east side of Castle Street, this impressive structure is the largest surviving fortified townhouse in Ireland. Its solid stonework makes it one of the most striking remnants of medieval Ardee. Built in the fifteenth century, it has been known by several names over the centuries, including Ardee Castle, St. Leger’s Castle, and Pipard’s Castle.
The building is rectangular in shape with projecting turrets at the northwest and southwest corners, rising four storeys high. Its original entrance was a pointed-arched doorway at the northwest angle, defended by an exterior machicolation and an interior ‘murder-hole’ typical features of fortified architecture of the time.
Although the Marquess of Ormond ordered the garrison to destroy the town before Cromwell’s arrival, the command was never carried out, and Ardee eventually fell to Cromwell’s forces. Both James II and William of Orange stayed in the castle at different stages before the Battle of the Boyne.
In 1805, the castle was transferred to the Louth Grand Jury and adapted for use as a courthouse and prison, marking the beginning of its long civic role in the town.
