Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that the ‘old church (LI020-123003-) of this Parish was originally of the form of a cross, but it is now all in ruins except the choir or chancel, which is roofed and still used as the Protestant Church of the Parish. This part is fifty three feet [16.15m] in length. The nave is unroofed and fifty feet [15.25m] in length by thirty [9.15m] in breadth. There was a Castle attached to this church at the west end but only its east side and four feet [1.2m] of the north and south walls to the height of about thirty feet [9.15m] remain’ (OSL, 133).
Croagh Castle described in the Urban Survey of Co. Limerick as following; 'A castle called 'Castell fferson' is mentioned in 1591 (Westropp 1906-7, 217) and a castle in ruins is marked on the O.S. map, south-west of the church (LI020-123003-), but no trace of this survives today. Lewis (1837, i, 435) notes the existence of two castles here' (Bradley et. al., 1989, 112).
Westropp (1906-7, 216-7) recorded the following details about Croagh; '1289 Hugh Purcell granted woods and turf out of Moychro, or Maynchro, or Croagh, to Ger. the Bishop (B.B.L., xv.), and was in 1297 granted free warren there (C.S.P.I). 1305 The manor of Croch taken by Crown (Plea R., 191). 1317 Suit of Jordan Coterel, or Cotel, and Rob. and Isolda Lovelynch, about Crogh (Plea R., 122; Mem. R., m. 14). 1318 T. f. Hugh Purcell had suit with Maur., Prior of St. Mary's, Rathgell, for violence done by latter at Moycro (lb., m. 47). It remained in possession of the Purcells (see 160, supra). 1350 Walter Purcell also held Kilfinnane (Pipe R.). The descent is fully preserved from 1480; Thomas Purcell; Patrick; Pierce; 1530; Edmond, 1567; Piers, 1568-1618; James, m. Jane Blayney, dau. of Sir F. Berkeley, and his brothers General Patrick, the Confederate leader, Edm., Tho., and Ric. 1567 Edm. and, 1576, Peter got pardon (Fi. 1050,2783). 1591 T. f. J. Mac Ruddery, Knight of Glin, held the hamlet and lands (save those of Peter Purcell) at Croaghneburgage, the C. called Castell fferson (Inq. Exch., 32; Peyton, 206b). 1611 Grant to Edm. Purcell to form a manor at Croagh, with courts Leet and Baron, free warren, &c. (Pat. R., Inq. Chan., 16b). He died 1618. 1637 James died seized of C. of Crowagh, or Moycrowagh; his father, Patrick, succeeded, and held of the heirs of Hugh Purcell, as part of the manor of Corck Iheny, granted by Jas. I. in 1617 to Edm.; dower claimed, 1640, by Cecilia, or Shihy ni Shihy, widow of Pierce, and Frances Barckly, widow of James (Inq. Chan., viii., 241). 1641 Lieut. Pat. Purcell took leading part in civil war, and was a brave and humane officer. 1655 Croaghstown burgess and Spittle Land held by T. Browne, of Hospital, Croagh neburgess on river Grivagh; the manor subject to Mrs. Francess Purcell's (Barkley's) jointure; Croaghstown with C, courts Leet and Baron, a highway, a small brook, a great church, &c. (C.S., pp. 48-51 ; B.D., 21). 1669 Confirmed to Lord Kingston; Capt. T. W. Walcott held land there (Act Sett.). 1692 Rob. Purcell died leaving Croagh to his wife, Mary, for life, entailed on his cousin, J. Purcell, of Ballinvirry (Prerog.). 1726 J. Walcott settled it on Edm. Browne, of Ballyslattery, Clare, on the latter marrying Walcott's cousin, Jane Westropp, of Attyflin (Dub. Reg., 54, 399).

Compiled by: Denis Power

Revised by Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 10 December 2018

References

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

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

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1989 Urban archaeological survey - county Limerick (3 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.