The modern town grew up as a
settlement around the de Barry castle, which was built by a Norman
adventurer in 1235 and was later the site of an English garrison. The castle
was located at the end of Castle Street, where the town river is thought to
have originally flowed. A military barracks operated in the town for many
years. It was finally closed on March 17th. 2012 and the buildings and grounds
have recently been purchased