Castle - motte and bailey

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating countryside. Castletown was the manorial centre of Ui Buidhe (Oboy), which was the pre-Norman territory given to Robert de Bigarz by Strongbow before 1176 (Orpen 1911-20, iii, 105). Giraldus Cambrensis records that Hugh de Lacy built a castle in 1182 for Robert de Bigarz at Oboy, close to Timahoe (Scott and Martin 1978, 195). After 1245 it passed to William de Cantilupe and was obtained by John de Hastings in 1283 (Sweetman 1875-86, ii, no. 2107). In 1348 the Earl of Pembroke received 30s. yearly from the burgesses of Castletown and returns from the hundred of the town. (PRO1916, 128). There is no mention of Castletown after 1348 until the late-sixteenth century (Urban Survey 1986, 19). Remains include a flat-topped conical mound (summit diam. 6.5; base diam. c. 30m; H c. 10-12m) enclosed by a low gapped bank on summit. Steep-sided to W, N and E. Stone steps and a stone-built seat are set into the mound at SE. A cottage to S and farm buildings to SW have caused some disturbance. Slight remains of the fosse and external bank to N where the modern road skirts the motte. Possible bailey, now landscaped to SE of the motte where the ground is raised some 1-2m above the level of the surrounding fields. This area is enclosed by fences and at present forms the garden of Castletown House.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 17 December 2007