Upon entering the castle over the drawbridge, the visitor finds oneself in a small lobby with, overhead, a “murder hole”, often found in such positions and forming a defence for a main door of the castle, through which boiling water or some other unpleasant liquid could be thrown upon the unwelcome intruder. The door directly in front opens into the great vaulted hall, which was the Main Guard of the castle.
This was the menial retainers of the Earl of Thomond main living room and of the common soldiery. It was also the general dining room of the castle. Even here status and precedence were considered important, symbolized by the line of demarcation on the floor defining the area occupied by the officers. Foot soldiery and retainers occupied the remainder of the hall.
Moving around the hall in a clockwise direction one sees a 16th century oak chest with a carved band of Renaissance ornament and an elaborate iron lock plate. The portrait painted on a wooden panel, representing Henry VI, is of the English School; above the 17th century oak chest is an Oriental bell with inscriptions.
The 16th century limestone chimneypiece is one of the Great Hall's improvements and replaced the original 15th century fireplace of which part of the mantle-piece can still be seen on the right above the present lintel. Above this is a 16th century German oak carving of one knight killing another.
The small gate under the southwest tower leads to the dungeon, a pit about fifteen feet from which the unfortunate prisoner (usually deceased) had to be drawn up by a rope. The entrance was secured by three doors. Overhead is an inspection slit so that the guards could observe the prisoners. The oil painting of a minstrel is Flemish 17th century.
Near the window is an elaborately carved mid-16th century Flemish-robing cupboard; the doors are ornamented with rondel heads. The helmets and armour in the window enclosure are mainly 17th century. The 17th German century gun has an inlaid walnut stock and heavy barrel. On the right of the window is 15th century oak cupboard; the door of the upper part are decorated with linenfold and the lower door is plainly panelled; the strap hinges carry Gothic decoration. The “Master’s” walnut chair behind the 16th century oak table is dated 1537. The full-length portrait of a Lady is late 17th century. Over the doorway there is a Minstrels’ Gallery and a Royal coat of arms circa 1600. The chandelier is German with an unidentified coat of arms.
