Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that in Cappagh 'stand the ruins of the Castle of Cappa, of which the north wall and six feet [1.8m] of the west wall only remain. The wall remaining is about seventy feet [21.3m] high and five feet [1.5m] thick and has windows and apertures for five floors. It is built on a low rock on which parts of the walls of the "court" attached to this Castle remain to the height of about thirty feet [9.1m]. This was a truly magnificent structure when perfect and reflects honor on the noble family of Desmond, by whom it was erected' (OSL, 135).
The castle was described in 1826 as 'once a noble structure; half of which only now remains to shew its former grandeur: it is at least 100 feet high including the mound on which it is built; the coigne stones are all square and polished; the windows are at various heights, according to the different loftings, being formed of carved stone, and arched. The castle is surrounded by an embattled wall enclosing an area of thirty-five yards by twenty-four: it was built, according to tradition by the Fitzgeralds of which family there were two brothers, one of whom lived in Cappa Castle, and the other in a castle (LI011-072----) near Hollypark, north of it, to whom also belonged that of Cappa' (Fitzgerald 1826, 359).
Westropp (1906-7, 210) recorded the following historical references to Cappagh Castle; '1201 Kyllmacluana held by the Church of Limerick (B.B.L., p. 14). 1302 Wasted by war. 1336 Keappach-Kylmccluana held by Bishop de Rupefort (Rental), and by "John Tho. Philip," Knight of Glin, before 1541 under the Bishops (B.B.L., p. 144). 1578 His C, or manor, of Keppaugh granted to the Lord President, Sir W. Drurye (Fi. 3277). 1583 Kyppagh, or Cappagh, the C. and vill. of Kylne-Cappagh, or Carrenbegg, late of T. macRuddery, Knight of the Valley; Walter Boorke, who held the C. was attainted; Ullig Browne next held it (Des. R., 41, 71b;, Peyton, 231b ; Inq. Exch., 10, 11 ; Carew i., 435). 1587 The lands, "long waste and unpeopled," granted to Gilbert Gerrard, and then to J. Stroude (Carew i., 449). 1591 Grant to W. Carter of the "ancient C, with a barbican ruined on the S.," and 320 acres (Fi. 5717). 1615 The Bishop claimed Knightes Kepagh, held by Oliver Stephenson (Vis. Reg.). 1629 Edm. Southwell conveyed it to Ric. Earl of Cork (Pat. R.). 1642 The C. blockaded by the Confederates, and surrendered by F. Morton. 1655 Cappagh with a great bawn, a ruined C, and a quarry, held by N. Dowdall (C.S., p. 53)'.
Westropp (ibid., 210-11) described the castle as following; 'The north side of a strong tower, with an inner and outer enclosure; the last with turrets at the eastern angles, and fenced by low crags to the west. The keep is about 70 feet [21.3m] high, and is 41 feet [12.5m] by 30 feet [9.15m] over all. It is five stories high; the third and fourth resting on vaults. The windows very neat, and dating from about 1460-80. The eastern end contained the stairs, to the south-east, the porch, and small vaulted rooms. Their vaults on a level with those of the main wing. The inner court is 57 feet [17.37m] square, the outer 115 feet [35m] north and south; 78 feet [23.8m] east and west; the west walls abutting on the rocks. The north-east bastion is round, the walls near it about 50 feet [15.24m] high; the south-east turret had a gate; the walls rarely exceed 3½ feet [1m] thick. Legend in 1827 said that Fitzgerald, of Ballyglehane C., gave the use of Cappagh to his brother; but, urged by his wife, reclaimed it. The brother blew up the latter C. the day before its surrender'.
Castle described in 2004 as following; 'The northern half of a 21m high tower measuring 12.1m by 8.7m built c 1460-80 lay within an inner bawn 17m square of which the north and west walls survive, the corner between them being chamfered off. The west side lies upon a rock face and the other three sides were enclosed by an outer bawn up to 10m wide, although not much now remains of the south wall and there is gap on the NE beyond a small round turret. The central tower was vaulted on the second and fourth of five storeys and had a fireplace in the north wall of the third storey. One fine window, wider than usual, remains at fifth storey level, where the west end was arched over in the same manner as at Beagh (LI003-002----), like Cappagh a seat of the Knight of Glin. There was a tier of mural chambers over the entrance in the east wall, and a spiral stair in the SE corner ' (Salter 2004, 70).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 11 December 2018

References

Fitzgerald, P. 1826-7 The history, topography, and antiquities of the county and city of Limerick. 2 vols. Dublin.

Salter, M. 2004 The castles of North Munster. Worcestershire. Folly Publications.

OSL - Ordnance Survey Letters. Letters written by members of the Ordnance Survey's 'Topographical Department' (T. O'Conor, A. O'Curry, E. Curry, J. O'Donovan and P. O'Keeffe) sent to headquarters from the field (1834-41). MSS in Royal Irish Academy.