Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

Lickbebune Castle - or Leek Castle, as it is popularly known - belonged to the Fitzgeralds, a branch of the Desmond family. It was built by a member of the Clan Richard of Leac Beibhionn around 1380. The headland, which is about 111m long, was joined by a natural arch to the castle. When this arch collapsed it left a chasm 6.4m wide; the collapsed rock filled up the gully, and entrance is now gained by a narrow path. It was probably once gained by a drawbridge, but no trace of this can be seen today. The ruins now consist of the S wall, which rises to a height of 10.6m and is 2.4m thick. This wall is part of the tower, which originally contained three storeys (Westropp, 1909). There is now a long gap or breach in the wall which has an arch over the top, suggesting a window. About 2.5m below this arch are the remains of another one, also suggesting a window arch. There are various fragments of other walls scattered around. In the NNW sector of the headland there is a limestone block, 2.5m x .8m, with a splayed keyholeshaped opening which may have been a musket loop. John, son of Garret Fitzgerald and heir to Leek, was killed in the seige of Lord Kerry's castle at Lixnaw in 1568. By 1641 the castle was demolished and its demesne granted to Trinity College, Dublin.
As part of his study of the promontory forts of Ireland, Casey (2002, 45, NK 987) checked out a 'faint curving bank across the neck of the of the headland' in order to see if it 'might be the remains of an earlier defence'. However, not enough remained to be certain.

The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 987. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 23 January 2015

References

Casey, M. 2002 The coastal promontory forts of Ireland: interim report for the Heritage Council. Unpublished specialist report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.