Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

The precise location of a castle in the townland of Howardstown (Baile Shiuird) has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 169-70) recorded the following details about Howardstown or Ballysiward; 'At an early period, after 1200, Hamo de Yaloignes, Lord of Iniskefty, had enfeoffed the Archbishops of Dublin in Culballysyward, in perpetual alms (Plea R.); Alex, de Anud granted to Archbishop J. de Saunford the homage of his nephew, John, on the same (Antiquissimus Roll, P.R.O.I, 1285 ; and Liber Niger Alani, No. 1061). It then was granted to the Dondon family, who held it from at least 1284 to 1655. In 1284, Maur. FitzGerald unjustly disseised J. Dondon, of Culbalysyward in Ocarbry (Plea R., 14). 1289 Suit of J. Dondon and Adam Le Hunt about same (Ib., m. 16). 1295 For John, son of Hugh Dondon, see Justic. R. Cal., pp. 40, 68. 1308 Peter Daundonnd held part under Archbishop (Pipe R.). 1317 N. de Lees held part with Kilmor, near Garth (Mem. R.). 1318 Lees' lands held by Crown (Plea R., 119, m. 31). 1318 Jo. f. Peter Daundoun broke into and robbed Balysiward Church (Plea R., 124, m.43). 1319 The King put W. de Hampton in charge of lands of late Peter Daundon under see of Dublin (Grossi Fines). 1322 Suit of N. and Juliana de Lees with J. Goer about lands at same (Ib.). 1410 Ballisheward, or Ballyhaward, named in "Torn Rolls" (White MS., Len.). 1583 C[astle]. held by G., Earl of Desmond (Inq. Ex., Jas. I, No. 8). 1587 Sir E. Fitton was granted the head-rent of Ric. Dondon, in Ballyhyward (Fi. 5032). 1597 The Chapter of Limerick granted the Dean's C[astle]. at Ballihaward to Jas. Cromwell (Inq. Exch., 19b). 1600 Pardons of Ric. and Peter Dondon, of Ballyhyward (Fi. 6446). Grant of the head-rent being £4 in "haulface money," i.e., £5 6s. Sd. sterling, to N. Haward (Pat. R.). 1653 Lease of C[astle], bawne, and mill of Hywardstown to Cornet J. Tilly (Hartwell Account). 1655 Ric. '. The castle of 'Hewardstowne' is depicted as a tower house like structure on the Down Survey map of Small County barony (Hib. Reg.).
The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Richard Dondon and Margaret Dondon, Irish papists were the owners of Howardstown which contained 'a decayed Castle fower cabins & a Mill [LI039-208----]' (Simington 1938, 113).

See attached Down Survey barony map.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 11 May 2021

References

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.

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

Hibernia Regnum: A set of 214 barony maps of Ireland dating to the period AD 1655-59. The original parish maps have been lost but the Hibernia Regnum maps are preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris (Goblet 1932, v-x). Photographic facsimiles of these maps were published by the Ordnance Survey, Southampton in 1908.