Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

Westropp (1906-7, 93-4) recorded the following details about Caherconlish Castle; 'Kakinles C[astle]. was commenced. It was held by Theo. Walter le Botiller in 1214 (CJS.PX). 1285-7 Cathair-cind-lioss "rampart guarded, solid stone," with vaulted towers and drawbridge, stormed and burned by Torlough O'Brien, Prince of Thomond (Wars of Torl., Plea R.). 1338 Murage allowed the provost and bailiffs of Catherkenlyshe to build a stone wall round the town, which was on the marches, with Irish rebels on every side (Close R.). 1358 Edward III. gave it a charter (Pat. R.). 1583 W. Bourke held C[astle]. (Des. R. 37). 1605 It was leased by Lord Caher to Theo. Borke (cited C.S., xxi., p. 17). 1641 Monument to latter and his wife, Slany Brien, erected in church. 1680 Dyneley sketched the church and peel tower (R.S.A.I. ix., p. 197). 1690 It was occupied by King William, and in 1691 by Ginckell, when advancing to besiege Limerick.
Fabric - Fitzgerald mentions four C[astle].s in 1827, and a fortified gate (vol. ii., p. 285); little is now extant. Dyneley's view shows a peel tower, four stories high, with a bartizan at one corner'.
Caherconlish House described in 1837 as 'a handsome modern residence, erected near the site of the old family mansion, by the proprietor, Major Wm. Wilson; it is surrounded by fine plantations and ornamental grounds. The old mansion, which stood on a rock, was one of the castles above noticed, and though previously exhibiting no extraordinary marks of decay suddenly split from top to bottom, one half falling into a heap of ruins, and the other left standing; the gateway, on which are the arms of the Wilson family yet remains' (Lewis 1837, Vol. 1, 239-40).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 1 December 2020

References

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

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.