Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

At tip of narrow low spit projecting into tidal estuary of Robertstown river. Only two fragments of castle now stand: NE and NW corners (see plan Donnelly 1994, 171-2). The NW corner is featureless stump but NE corner rises to first-floor level and contains wall press. Joining these is recent dry-stone wall. Robertstown was a possession of the Earls of Desmond until surrendered in late 16th century (Westropp 1906-7, 242).
Westropp (1906-7, 242) gives the following details about Robertstown; '1222-30 The C[astle] of Robert Guher or Gore (C.S.P.L). It is often named in church lists and rentals, 1302, 1410, 1452. In 1289 Jo. Guer held Kyldrumyn (Plea R., 13). In 1298 Margery Gore held a half townland of Robertstown (C.S.P.L). In 1452 Castro Robti. Gore held by Earls of Desmond. 1569
Surrendered. 1571 J. Mac Clanchy held it (Fi. 3842 ; Inq. Exch.); 1587 W. Trenchard (Fi. 5078; Inq. Exch., 41). 1608 Ballyrobert C[astle]. conveyed by Jas. Wakeman to Sir Ric. Wingfield, of Smithstown, with a water mill, Carricke O'Ruderi, Ardenere, and part of estate of Teige mac Clansie, slain in rebellion (Rev. Exch., 1613-18, p. 1; 1623, p. 17; Inq. Chan., 6b), who held it with Cragg, 1638 (Inq. Chan., C.S., p. 94, &c). 1655 C[astle]. of Robertstown, Carrigenrudderi, mill, &c.
Fabric - The north-east fragments of a peel tower, featureless, save for ambreys, on a projection in a tidal creek. Fragments of a strong wall across the neck of the peninsula.
The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Sir Edward Wingfield was the owner of the lands of Robertstown and Garrintober which contained 'a ruined castle with two Mill seates [LI010-106----]' (Simington 1938, 327).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 13 May 2020

References

Donnelly, C.J. 1994 The Tower Houses of County Limerick, 3 vols, unpublished Phd thesis, Queens University, Belfast

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.

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