Settlement deserted - medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

No surface remains visible of possible settlement that was clustered around the medieval castle of Cappercullen (LI007-010001-) as recorded in the 1657 Down Survey. In 1604 Theobald Baron Bourgh, of Castleconnell was granted the castle and lands of Cappercullen which was formerly part of the estate of 'Conogher, mac Edmund, mac Lysagh, O'Mulrian' (Westropp 1906-07, 100). The terrier of the 1657 Down Survey parish map of Abbeyowneybeg stated that there was at Cappercullen, 'A Castle two Thatched House and some Cabbins' (NLI, MS 718). In 1641 Colonel Pierce Walsh of Abbeyowney was listed as the proprietor of the lands of 'Cappacullyn' which consisted of 261 acres of profitable land and 33 acres of bog (ibid.). In 1667 the forfeited castle and lands of Cappercullen were granted to George Evans (Westropp 1906-07, 100). Around 1680 a walled garden was built to the W of the medieval castle of Cappercullen (Murphy 2014, 19). This walled garden now located on the estate of Glenstal Abbey may have been built on the site of the medieval settlement described in the terrier of the Down Survey parish map.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 10 July 2017

References

Murphy, B.P. 2014 Glenstal Abbey gardens. Papaver editions. Limerick.

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.

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