Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

On summit of Shanid motte (LI019-081002-). Circular keep (int. diam. 7.5m) whose wall stands to near full height, but only SE->WNW (H c. 9m; T c. 3m). Built of uncoursed limestone facing with pinnings, with rubble core in a lime mortar. Internal face is smooth but external face is built is short straight sections of which seven survive. The external base of the wall was battered but this has been entirely removed so that lower face of wall (H c. 3.5m) is now rough vertical face. Ground level inside tower lower than outer surface (c. 1.5m) suggesting it may have contained semi-basement below first floor. One joist hole survives, near SE end of wall, showing level of wooden floor. Part of only one embrasure survives: side of large window ope evident where wall breaks off at WNW end; this at first-floor level. This is tall square-set ingoing covered by segmental arch, the springing of which survives. Just above and below level of this window ope are straight horizontal courses, indication that tower built in three stages.

Wall walk now sod covered but lower part of parapet survives. In centre of each straight section is narrow vertical opening, flanked on outside face by two square joist holes; these indicate presence of wooden hourd around top of keep. Just below this level is narrow vertical slit opening on the angle of the straight faces; these probably simple arrow slits.

Tower occupies SW corner of mound summit; otherwise top of mound enclosed by curtain wall but only short section of this survives on S side (L c. 13.5m; H c. 1.2m); all facing stones missing from this wall; early photograph shows this standing 'almost 5m high ... with crenellations and loop-holes remaining' (Sweetman 1999, 85). Two large fragments of the tower lie on summit of mound. More northerly block has part of window ingoing matching that of surviving window on tower; note impression of plank centring on underside of covering arch.

Shanid was originally occupied by William de Burgh c. 1198 but had become a Geralding possession by mid-13th century (Empey 1981, 12) and remained so until late 16th century (Westropp 1906-7, 243). Whilst the earthwork element of Shanid (LI019-08101-) was built in the initial stage of conquest c. 1198, the keep is probably slightly later in date (Leask 1941, 42). In 1583 the castle was already in ruins when described as 'situated on top of a high mound, and is girded by a barbican, which, with the castle, lately fell' (Westropp ibid.).

LI019-081001_01.jpg Aerial view taken in 1985 of Shannid Castle, motte and bailey (LI019-081002-) and ringfort (LI019-082----) (Photograph: J. Danaher).
LI019-081001_02.jpg View of Shannid Castle from the east (July 2013; photograph: J. Danaher)
LI019-081001_03.jpg View of the keep interior from the north (July 2013; photograph: J. Danaher)
Images uploaded courtesy of John Danaher.

Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 10/1957).

References

Sweetman, D. 1999 The medieval castles of Ireland. Cork. The Collins Press.

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

Empey, C.A. 1981 The settlement of the Kingdom of Limerick. In J. Lydon (ed.), England and Ireland in the Later Middle Ages 1-25. Dublin. Irish Academic Press.

Leask, H.G. 1941 Irish castles and castellated houses. Dundalk. Dundalgan Press.