Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1826 Dromkeen Castle was described as following; 'In this Parish was situated Drumkeen House, the ruins of which are still to be seen and gives strong indications of its former consequence, when it was the residence of the ancient family of the Bourkes of Drumkeen' (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 284).
Westropp (1906-7, 98) recorded the following details on Dromkeen; ‘1250 John Pincerna (Butler) granted Dronchyn to augment a prebend (B.B.L., p. 105). 1280 The sheriff ordered to hold a sworn enquiry about land of Dromken, held by Silvester Architedekne (Mem. R. Exch., No. 438). 1322 Suit of J. Harold and Paul de Hynterberg, about Drumkeyne, of which John, Paul's father, had disseised Harold (Plea R., 142), 1399-1400 The custody of estates of Ric. Harold, in Drumkyn, disturbed by Katherine, his widow (Mem. R., No. 26). It is alleged that the de Burghs, descendants of John Bourke of Shrule, son of Walter, circa 1410, and Sabia, his wife, daughter of Conor O'Brien, Prince of Thomond, settled there in first half of fifteenth century and held it to recent times. 1583 W. Bourke held Dromekyn C. (Des. R., 37). 1585 His son Ric. held it. 1619 C. and bawn granted to Holcroft. 1633 W. Bourke still owner (Inq. Chan. 93). 1655 C. shown (D.S.A., 14 ; Petty, 65). 1691 Right Rev. Ulysses Burgh, Bishop of Ardagh, died buried at Drumkeen. 1717 Church and monument repaired by Rev. Richard Burg. He calls it "the burial place of his family from time immemorial".'
In grounds of demesne and forming main entrance to 18th century Dromkeen House. Substantial remains of a medieval wall (H c. 7-8m; T c. 0.8m) running N-S supported with buttresses to W, E and N. Wall pierced by a tall archway with cut stone voussoirs forming the elliptical head. Two long window openings above have either broken or modified arches. Large pile of loose stone collected around base of wall at N-end, E-side. Loose cut stone on grass verge to W. Dromkeen House described by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as a 'Detached double-pile five-bay two-storey over half-basement house, built c. 1730, with extension and abutting two-storey wing to rear (north-east) elevation' (www.buildingsofireland.ie; Reg. No. 21902401).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 04 January 2019

References

Fitzgerald, P. and McGregor, J.J. 1826 The history, topography and antiquities of the county and city of Limerick. Dublin.

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