Rathfarnham Castle or as gaelic Ráith Fearnáin meaning Fort of Fearnan, believed to be a Celtic name, reportedly reopened its doors in 2015. Not the first residence on the land of Rathfarnham which is 7 kilometres from Dublin and was seemingly consficated from the Eustace family by the crown around 1579. The present castle was reportedly built in 1583 for the said to be arch bishop Adam Loftus, Lord chancellor of Ireland whose chief durastriction was believed to be the courts; including the court of appeal and the as called high court of justice. He is said to have bought the land from Saxon gentry.
Adam who was born in the Yorkshire Dales was detailed as both Anglican and church of Ireland. His father had been a monastic bailif on behalf of the crown. According to documentation he arrived in Ireland in 1560, and reportedly was chaplain to the as called Lord lieutenant or chief governor of Ireland. He was also said to be the earl of Sussex. According to documentation Loftus converted to Anglicanism during the time of Elizabeth I, possibly mandatory as non conformers were being tortured and killed. He is said to have studied at Trinity and became head or provost of the colonial university, now thought to be ecumenical. He was also arch bishop of Armagh.
Armagh in 1562 was said to be in the possession of Shane O’Neil. According to documentation territorial conflicts resulted in Loftus, Robert Gardiner then Lord chief justice and Anthony St Ledger, deputy entering into negotiations with the O’Neil and O’Donnell chieftains of Ulster, thought to be in 1594, leading to saxon rule.
The as called royal Irish constabulary was the police force in Ireland from 1822-1922. Believed to be under the authority of the British administration, they were said to have been used to quell civil unrest in the as called tithe war, the fenian rising of 1866-71 and other risings. In 1920, the as called black and tans were recruited to reinforce the ric which has been accused of discrimination. Ten thousand men were believed to have been recruited from Britain. Mainly unemployed soldiers from the first world war. They became notorious for reprisal attacks on civilians and property. It is not known whether the orders came from above.
Rathfarnham castle went through various non-national hands and a portion of the estate is documented as having been sold to the Jesuits in 1913.