Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

castlemaine (Caisleán na Mainge / the Castle of the River Maine) is located in the parishes of Kilcolman and Kiltallagh in the barony of Trughanacmy. According to Barrington (1976, 226) this Castle, which spanned the River Maine was built by John and Maurice Fitzgerald in 1215. In 1841 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following details about Castlemaine; 'In the west of this parish is situated Caladh na Feirse (Callownafersy) where the son of Maurice Fitzgerald erected a castle in the year 1215, as we learn from the Annals of lnishfallen; but no part of it remains at present: 'AD 1215. The son of Maurice Fitzgerald built a castle at Mogh Laithibh and Caluith na Feirrse.' In this parish is also situated Castlemaine, in Irish Caisleán na Mainge, i.e. the Castle on the River Mang, now Maine, where, according to the Annals of Inishfallen, Maurice, the son of Thomas Fitzgerald, erected a castle in the year 1215. This castle has also disappeared but its site is pointed out at the Bridge of Castlemaine and it should be shown on the Ordnance Map. Dr Smith says that it was built on the bridge, but what he says about its erection looks fabulous' (O'Donovan 1983, 71).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 25 May 2022

References

Barrington, T.J. 1976 (new edition 1999) Discovering Kerry. Cork. The Collins Press.

O'Donovan, J. 1983 The antiquities of the county of Kerry. Cork. Royal Carbery Books.