Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

No surface remains visible of Fanningstown Castle recorded in 1943 as there 'is now no trace of this castle' (O'Kelly 1943, 224). In 1840 the upstanding castle was then described as following; 'The old Castle of Fanningstown, situated in the townland of that name, has fallen nearly into utter ruin. It measures about fifty six feet [17m] by twenty eight feet [8.5m]. Only fragments of the walls about six feet [1.8m] in height remain up' (OSL, 108).
Westropp (1906-7, 176) recorded the following details on Fanningstown; ‘1410 Ballyanhiny or Fanningstown in Fedamore (Torn Rolls, White MS.). 1583 ffanyngstown or Ballynanyng C.[astle] (Des. R. 5b). 1592 Granted to Mainwaring (Inq. Exch., 25). 1618 By him to D., Earl of Thomond. 1657 ffaningestowne, a ruinous Castle., B. Earl of Thomond (C.S., p. 18)'.
The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Barnaby, Earl of Thomond was the owner of the lands of Fanningstown on which there was 'an oulde Ruinous Castle & six Cabbins' (Simington 1938, 106).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 03 January 2019

References

O'Kelly, M.J. 1942-3 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 3, 75-97, 169-84, 222-46.

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.

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.

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