Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

On the edge of a ridge overlooking the flood plain of the River Nore which lies c. 200m to the E, within the grounds of Kilfera House. A stylised castle is depicted at this location on the Down survey (1655-6) barony map of Shillelogher (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 222-3), 'The old castle of Kilferagh has been incorporated with Kilferagh Ho. It is still in good preservation, but the top has been modernized. The Forrestalls were its ancient lords. Robert Forrestall, lord of Kilferagh, and chief of his name, died March 16th, 1540-1, and is buried within Sheestown church [KK024-001001-]. Patrick Forrestall otherwise fforstal, otherwise fforster, of Kilferagh, held lands of the manor of Gowran, of the value of £51, about 1560. He and his wife, Ellen Comerford, both died in 1568. Robert Forrestall, next lord of Kilferagh, and who is also styled lord of Balifronk, now Ballyfrunk, received a "pardon," for a fine of 40s., Jany. 2nd, 1571-2, and died Sept. 14th, 1585. James Forrestall of Kilferagh, his son and successor, had a "pardon," Nov. 14th, 1589, and was Constable of the Barony of Shillecher, in 1608...He died July 4th, 1619. By Inquisition at "le Session's house," Kilkenny, 24th May, 1621, it found that James Forstall, late of Kilferagh, was seised, in fee, of the manor, town and lands of Kilferagh….He died July 4th, 1619. Robert Forstall, his son and heir, was then 30 years old and married. Robert Forrestall, as an Irish Papist, forfeited all the family possessions in 1653'.
O'Kelly (1969, 184), states that 'The remaining walls of the Forrestal castle built circa 1540 are incorporated in Kilfera House'. An early 19th-century house, Kilfera/Kilferagh House, abuts the tower house (Bence-Jones 1988, 167). A church, possibly Sheastown church (KK024-001001-), c. 800m to the SSE is also indicated on the Down Survey map.

See attached extract from the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Shillelogher (Hib. Reg., courtesy of Trinity College Dublin)

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 9 October 2020

References

O'Kelly, O. 1969 (Reissue 1985) The place-names of County Kilkenny. Kilkenny.

Carrigan, Rev. W. 1905 (Reprint 1981) The history and antiquities of the diocese of Ossory, 4 vols. Kilkenny. Roberts Books and Wellbrook Press.

Bence-Jones, M. 1988 A guide to Irish country houses. London