The History of Cahir The rocky islet in the River Suir, where Cahir Castle now stands, was recognised from very early times as a natural vantage point. The ancient Book of Lecan records the destruction of a fort on it in the third century and Brian Boru (926 to 1014) is said to have had one of his residences here. Cahir Castle dates from the 13th century, with 15th century additions. It is a splendid structure that has been fully restored and is the largest of its period in Ireland. It has a massive keep, high enclosing walls, spacious courtyards and a hall. A guide service is available throughout the year. Begun in the 13th century by the Worcester or de Bermingham families, the castle came into the hands of the Anglo-Norman Butlers in 1375. The Butlers of Cahir sided with the Irish in the Elizabethan Wars, and in 1599 Elizabeth the First's deputy, the Earl of Essex, took the castle after a 3-day siege—the first successful one in which the walls were breached by the English artillery. There is a fine model and an exhibition in the castle detailing the history of these dramatic days. John Boorman's Excalibur Excalibur was filmed in Irish locations in County Wicklow, County Tipperary, and County Kerry. The early critical battle scene around a castle, in which Arthur is made a knight by Uryens, while kneeling in a moat, was filmed in Cahir Castle, in Cahir County Tipperary, Ireland, one of the best-preserved surviving Norman castles. The castle's moat is the River Suir which flows around it. The fight with Lancelot was filmed at Powerscourt Estate's waterfall. According to Boorman, the love scene between Lancelot and Guenevere in the forest was filmed on a very cold night, but Nicholas Clay and Cherie Lunghi did the scene in the nude anyway.

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