Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Castle - unclassified
Ardagh, County Limerick, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ardagh
- County
- Limerick
- Country
- Ireland
- Latest-edition OS map
- Not indicated
- SMR number
- LI028-164----
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
The precise location of Ardagh Castle has not been identified, it is not certain if there was a castle in the borough town of Ardagh. The Urban Survey of Limerick recorded the following about Ardagh Castle; 'The inquisition of 1298-9 taken on the death of Thomas FitzMaurice suggests that Ardagh belonged to the Desmond FitzGeralds (Sweetman 1875-86, iv, 256-7) but Westropp suggests that it was a manor of the bishops of Limerick. Westropp’s view is supported by the fact that Ardagh was claimed by the diocese of Limerick in 1201, a claim which would back up the suggestion made above that it was a pre-Norman church site (MacCaffrey 1907, 11-12). As a manor it is likely that there was a castle here but its site is unknown unless it can be identified with the ringfort known as Reerasta South (LI028-102----), and that this is in fact the remains of an Anglo-Norman ringwork' (Bradley et. al. 1989, vol. 1, 48-9).
The presence of a castle in Ardagh (LI028-103001-) is ‘doubtful’ according to Westropp (1906-7, 246-7) though it was a manorial centre here from the 13th century (ibid.).
Compiled by: Denis Power
Date of upload: 20 August 2012
References
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 Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.
MacCaffrey, J. 1907 The black book of Limerick. Dublin.
Sweetman, H.S. (ed.) 1881 Calendar of documents relating to Ireland. Vol. iv, 1293-1301. Longman & Co. London.