Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

The precise location of Knocksentry Castle within the townland has not been identified. Castle described by Westropp (1906-7, 85) as following; '1540 Sliocht Shane mac William held the seisreach of Carraigbeag (Rental). 1583 W. Bourke, Knocknesomerta C[astle]. (Des. R., 37). 1621 Hubert Bourke C[astle]. of Cnockyuxputy and Carrigbegg and enfeoffed D. Mac Clanghie, a priest, in trust (Inq. Chan. 27b). 1624 Theo. Lord Brittas, C[astle]. of Cnock Iursinty. (lb.) Livery to Hubert f. John Bourke license to alienate C[astle]. of Cnockyursinti for use of W., second son of Lord Brittas (Pat. R.). 1655 Leased by W. Bourke to W. Pope; the D.S. shows a peel tower on a rock (B.D. 108, D.S.A. 16 Petty, 65. 1666 Confirmed to W. Pope and partly to S. Molyneux (Act Sett.)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that William Borke of Knocksentry held in 'Cnockiurssinta Carrigbegg Coulnatromy amd Curragh-Elltine three plowlands and a quarter mere with a Castle thereunto'' (Simington 1938, 60).
The 17th century Down Survey map of Killeengarriff parish (NLI, MS 718) shows a tower house like structure standing on top of a hill or rock near the S boundary of the townland of 'Knockursente and Carrigbeg.

See attached Down Survey map of Killeengarriff parish showing Knocksentry Castle

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 14 January 2020

References

Westropp, T.J. 1906-7 The ancient castles of the county of Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 26, 54-264.

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1938 The civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. IV: county of Limerick, with a section of Clanmaurice barony Co. Kerry. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

NLI, MS 718 - National Library of Ireland, Parish maps with terriers, showing forfeited lands in County Limerick, commonly known as the "Down Survey", executed under the direction of Sir William Petty, 1657, and copied by Daniel O'Brien, 1786.