Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Castle - unclassified
Astee West, County Kerry, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Astee West
- County
- Kerry
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- KE002-061----
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
This castle is not marked on any edition of the OS maps. According to the Annals of Innisfalien it was built in the 12th century by Diarmuid Sugach O'Connor. Ned Moriarty of Asdee (unpublished notes) states that 'fifty years ago an extensive ruin existed. At that time it was from 15 to 25 feet in height. Two walls at right angles described as being five or six feet in breadth with an arch or window, were covered with ivy. Thirty or forty years ago the remains of these two walls were demolished by two workmen and several houses were built using the stones from the Castle. The demolished structure contained huge boulders, none of the stones had been dressed, mortar containing hair and sea shells was used in the construction.' No surface trace of this castle survives today.
The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 988. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 3 August 2013
References
Toal, C. 1995 North Kerry Archaeological Survey. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority.