Castlecomer takes its name from the local castle which was built by the Normans in 1171 on the mound opposite the present gates in to the Castlecomer Demesne.
Caisleán an Chumair means “The castle at the confluence of the rivers” of which there are three, The Deen, The Brocagh and the Clohogue. The original castle was built of wood and was replaced by a stone structure by Earl Marshall about the year 1200. When Sibella, the great-granddaughter of the Norman leader Strongbow, was granted the manor in 1219. The local Brennan chiefs retreated to the hills and lived and independent life until the plantation of Castlecomer by Earl Strafford. In 1637 30,000 acres were granted to Sir Christopher Wandesforde by his cousin, Earl Strafford, the Kings Deputy. Christopher laid out the town of Castlecomer, Ireland’s first town in Stone and mortar.

He was interested in the iron which was found locally and when coal was discovered he imported miners from England to develop the coalmines. For the next 300 years coalmining was the biggest industry in the area, employing up to 500 men when in full production, until the closure of the Deerpark mine in 1969.

The Wandesfordes lost their land during the Rising of 1641 but these were restored to them in 1653. In 1798 the Wexford insurgents marched on Castlecomer and the town was burned. It was rebuild by Lady Anne Wandesforde in the early 19th Century. During the years 1840 to 1855, which included the Great Famine, 47% of the population of the town was given emigration assistance by the Wandesforde Estate. In the 1950’s, after the death of Captain Richard Prior Wandesforde, the remaining lands and property were sold, thus ending the era of the Landlord.

Today Castlecomer is a thriving town with a population of 2,000. It has large industry in IJM and the Ormonde Brick Factory and a wide variety of small business and trades. There are many fine old buildings including the recently renovated Estate Farmyard. It has a splendid 18 hole championship golf course, soccer and GAA facilities, excellent library, community Hall, top class schools, social service, sheltered workshops, restaurants and accommodation. Houses for the elderly, several sports and social clubs, a dramatic society, a history society, bank and credit union. Several Housing developments, industrial developments and community developments in Childcare and Enterprise. The Castlecomer Demesne has recently re-opened its gates and is in the middle of a significant overhaul that will incorporate an interpretative centre and museum, walkways and barbeque area, café and shop facilities.

The Castlecomer lakes have just re-opened for fishing. It has two festivals one in the Summer on the August Bank Holiday weekend, The Summertime Festival which is in its second year, and one in the Winter on the 1st Jan, The famous Wellie race which has recently celebrated twenty five years on the go. Caslecomer is also twinned with Penvenan, France and enjoys a very healthy relationship with the French town with visits back and forth between groups annually.

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