History
A Timeline of the Fort
The story of Fort Protector — how a military stronghold built to subdue the native Irish clans became the foundation of modern Portlaoise.
Foundation
1547–48
Fort Protector is established Construction begins under Sir Edward Bellingham, Lord Justice of Ireland. Named Fort Protector after Edward Seymour, Protector of England during the minority of King Edward VI — the “Boy King.” Its purpose: to defend the English Pale around Dublin against the O’Moores and O’Connors, the formidable native Irish clans of Laois and Offaly
A Town is Born
1560s
Maryborough is founded A town grows up around the fort walls and is named Maryborough in honour of Queen Mary, the reigning English monarch — the origin of the town now known as Portlaoise.
1580s
Church & market charter granted A church is built on present-day Railway Street as the town expands. Maryborough is granted a market by Royal charter, marking its role as a centre of commerce in the region.
Siege & Resistance
1597–98
The fort is burnt The town and fort is attacked and placed under siege several times by Rory Oge O’More and his son Owney Mac Rory O’More. The fort is burnt to the ground in 1597/1598.
c.1599
The garrison strikes back The garrison recovers and captures 35 rebels. Their heads are placed on spikes along the fort wall as punishment for their uprising as a warning to those who would challenge English authority in Laois.
1600s
The native Irish are displaced The native Irish clans are broken. Many are transplanted against their will from Laois to marginal lands in Kerry, marking the end of organised Gaelic resistance in the county.
The Cromwellian Era
1646
Fort surrenders to Owen Roe O’Neill Conflict returns during the Cromwellian campaign. The Fort of Maryborough surrenders to the Catholic Owen Roe O’Neill.
1648
Papal Nuncio takes refuge The fort gives refuge to Cardinal Rinuccini, the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, during the turbulent Confederate Ireland period.
1650
Fort dismantled by Cromwell’s generals Cromwell’s Generals Hewson and Reynolds retake and dismantle the fort, ending its role as a military stronghold . It is used briefly as a barracks for a Leinster Dragoon Regiment into the early 1800s.
Modern Era
1835
The last castle is demolished A castle near the corner of Main Street and Railway Street is pulled down. The fort’s physical presence is reduced to its surviving walls and bastion tower.
2025–26
The Old Fort Quarter Festival The heritage of the Old Fort Quarter is celebrated through the annual festival, bringing history to life with walking tours, medieval re-enactors, archaeology, music and community events on the streets of Portlaoise.
What Remains Today
Of the once mighty fortification, what survives today is the rounded bastion tower on the corner of Church Street and Fitzmaurice Place, and large sections of the original defensive walls along Church Street, Church Avenue, and the rear of Main Street and Railway Street – silent witnesses to nearly 500 years of history at the heart of Portlaoise.
Original fort wall plan — surviving sections shown
Want to walk in the footsteps of history? Join one of our guided heritage walking tours this festival weekend.
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