Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Westropp (1906-7, 188-9) foundations of this castle were visible in the early 1900s but were not visible by 1944. Westropp described the castle as following; 'Not marked on rock of Carrickittle; but foundations remain. One of the oldest castles in County Limerick. 1199 J. de Gray was granted the lands between it and C[astle]. d'Any. King John granted to W. de Naish the C[astle].s of Karakitel, and the theudum of Lirickmadh, and cantred of Huheny (C.S.P.L), Karrakytyl C[astle]. and Kyldrumon as in copy in Gormanstown Reg., p. 210. 1291 The rector of Athissel had a portion at Carneketil in Grene. 1297 Suit of W. Whitfot, father of Matilda, wife of Ric. le Mouner, who held Carrigkitel of which Ric. and Marg. de Londres were tenants (Plea R.). 1307 Karnekytele and Killtyle were granted to Sir Phil. Wolfe (Gorm. Reg., p. 211). 1309 Held by Sir Walter L'Enfaunt in capite at £14 10s. 6d. before their delivery to Alex, de London, cousin and heir of Johan, wife of said Walter (Pipe R.). 1318 The Crown took up Kyltil; Nic. an Juliana de Lees held Carnkityl, Clothurolethan and Clothursyne (Plea R., 121, m. 2). 1373 W. de Londres alienated Carryketil to E. Bagot without license (Pipe R.). 1410 circa Walter Bourke assigned to his third son Tiboit the seisreachs of Britas, Rathsiurtain, Carraigciotal, and Baileloisge (Burke Rental). 1510 Garret, Earl of Kildare, and the English built a C[astle]. on Carraigoital (A.F.M.). 1537 The profits of this Manor, forfeited by Silken Thomas, taken by Jas. f. John of Desmond (Carew i., p. 131). 1583 Ger., Earl of Desmond, traitor, held, on his entry into rebellion, the little C[astle]. of Carrigkittle, a small C[astle]. or peel situated on the top of a mount in Kiltyly (Inq. Exch., 10; Des. R., 6; Carew ii., p. 450). 1605 Sir E. Fitton owned it. 1655 Sir Maur. Hurley held it (B.D., p. 118 ; Petty Map, 68 ; C.S., xxxi., p. 4); sold to Oliver Ormsby and confirmed 1666 (Act Sett.)'.
Castle site described by O'Kelly (1944, 16) as following; 'No trace remains. It was built on a high knoll of limestone much of which has been quarried away for road metal. Westropp says that it was one of the oldest castles in Co. Limerick for it is first mentioned in 1199. King John granted it to W. De'Nais. Garret, Earl of Kildare, rebuilt it in the early 16th century. The Sugan Earl held it in 1583. In 1605 it was owned by Sir E. Fitton'.
A tower-like castle is depicted in the townland of Carrickittle on the 1654-7 Down Survey map of Kilteely Parish (NLI, MS 718).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 09 August 2019

References

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

AFM - Annals of the kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the earliest period to the year 1616, ed. and trans. John O'Donovan (7 vols., Dublin, 1851; reprint New York, 1966)

O'Kelly, M.J. 1944 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 4, 16-53.

NLI, MS 718 - National Library of Ireland, Parish maps with terriers, showing forfeited lands in County Limerick, commonly known as the "Down Survey", executed under the direction of Sir William Petty, 1657, and copied by Daniel O'Brien, 1786.