Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

The ruins of Kilfinnane Castle known locally as 'Roche's Castle' stands in the N quadrant of Kilfinnane town (LI048-127----) to the W of Kilfinnane Church (LI048-058----) and graveyard (LI048-109---). In 1837 it was recorded that 'adjoining the church [LI048-058----] are the ruins of an ancient castle, built by the Roches' (Lewis 1837, Vol. 2, 94). The 1654-56 Down Survey map of Kilfinnane parish shows a tower house standing adjacent to a medieval road and close to the ruins of Kilfinnane church and glebe land (NLI, MS 718). According to Westropp (1916-17, 471) in '1350, Walter Purcell held Kilfinnane from John fitzPeter Le Poer, Baron of Donuyll [Dunhill Castle WA025-045001-] (the picturesque rock-fort and castle in Co. Waterford); his heirs were under age'.
The Civil Survey of Limerick 1654-56 recorded that Sir Edward Fitz Harris of Chloch an Otfaígh (now Castleoliver), an Irish Papist was in 1640 the owner of 'Kilfynane, Ballinleynye, Ballinro, Ballyriggyne being parte of Moorestowne, Ballyngerodie, and Garrileasy containing two plowlands, with a Castle and an Iron Grate thereunto, Fiftie tatch Houses & Cabbins. A Gristmill, a Tucking Mill [LI056-054----]. A Mill-seate, Court Leete and Court Baron. A Fayre twice a yeare, and a markett once a weeke' (Simington 1938, 246).
The terrier of the 1654-56 Down Survey parish map recorded that the parish 'hath also the convenience of a Markett at Kilfinane where is a good Castle and the walls of a Church and an Irish Towne' (NLI, MS 718).
Westropp (1906-7, 193-4) recorded the following details about Kilfinnane; ' "Castle Field." Marked. 902 [AD] The great fort of Treada na riogh (Book of Rights) stands near this village. 1350 [AD] Walter Purcell held Kilfinnan from J. f. Peter le Poor, Baron of Donvyll; his heirs were minors (Pipe R.). 1588 [AD] Garrett mac Thomas held Kylfynen; granted to Billingsley (Carew, i., p. 450 ; Fi. 5171). 1590 [AD] Edm. FitzGibbon, the White Knight, was granted the head-rent of Kilfynan in tenure of Ger. mac Richard, and W. Teige (Fi. 5517). 1598 [AD] Mr. Aylmer, who held Kilfinien, left it without men or victual (C.S.P.L, p. 325). 1607 [AD] The manor granted to E. Fitz Harris (Pat. R.), 1657 [AD]. Kilfinane, "where there is a good C[astle], the walls of a church, and an Irish towne." 1666 [AD] The C[astle]. was granted to Rob. Oliver (see also D.S.A., 50, 59; O.S., xxv., p. 25)'.

See attached Down Survey parish map.

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 22 February 2022

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. 1916-17 On certain typical earthworks and ring walls in Co. Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 33C, 9-42, 444-92.

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

Lewis, S. 1837 A topographical dictionary of Ireland, 2 vols. London. Lewis and Co.

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.