Cardigan Castle

Cardigan Castle and the River Teifi

There was a motte and bailey castle here on the banks of the River Teifi as early as 1093, though quite where that early Norman structure was located is a matter of conjecture. In 1110 Gilbert de Clare, who was responsible for quite a few of the early Norman castles in Wales, constructed a second fortification.

History

Around 1170 Rhys ap Grufudd, Prince of Deheubarth, took control, and transformed Cardigan into the first Welsh-built stone castle. In 1176 Rhys held the first Eisteddfod, or festival celebrating Welsh culture, at Cardigan Castle.

After Rhys died in 1197 his sons squabbled, and Cardigan became a pawn in the endless struggle for superiority in south Wales between the English and Welsh. The castle was taken and retaken over the years, as Welsh and Normans vied for supremacy. After 1240 the English held it, and did not relinquish it again.

The castle was strengthened after the Welsh uprising of 1245, and walls were built around the growing town. Cardigan was besieged by the Welsh during the Owain Glyndwr uprising, but its connection to the sea meant the defenders were able to get supplies by ship, and they kept the Welsh at bay. The castle then fell into disrepair until it was garrisoned by Royalist supporters in the English Civil War.

A pony trap passes below the castle walls

Cromwell overcame the defenders and ordered it to be "slighted" (made uninhabitable). Finally, in the 1880's a private house was built in the inner bailey, incorporating remains of the castle walls and buildings. That house in turn fell into disrepair and the castle itself was in danger of becoming a complete ruin.

The Castle Restored

In 2003 Ceredigion County Council purchased the site and a restoration project was launched with the aid of the Friends of Cardigan Castle charity. The result is that the ruined castle has been completely restored and is open to the public.

Visitors can tour the castle bailey and see the stables and the restored garden. Within the curtain wall is a WWII pillbox. Perhaps the most interesting part of a castle visit is the restored Victorian house within the bailey. Here you can see an exhibition on the castle's history and Welsh eisteddfods.