Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a rise of ground in an upland area. Birdhill was known in medieval times as Knockaneen or Cnocán-an-éin-fínn (the little hill of the white bird) (Berry 1904, 108). The site of the medieval O'Brien castle was pointed out to Berry (1904, 107) at the back of Birdhill House and two sketches of the castle by Thomas Dineley (1681) are included. The 1654 Civil Survey recorded that 'Upon the sd. pld standeth the walls of a Castle' which in 1640 belonged to Connor O'Brien of Knockane' (Simington 1934, 183). These lands were forfeited after the 1641 Rebellion and granted under the Act of Settlement to Lieutenant William Sheldon (Berry 1904, 107).
Berry (1904, 107) recorded in 1904 that 'not a trace of this castle is now visible, but old men point out its site at the back of Birdhill House; and Mr. Martin Hassett, of Birdhill, informed me that his father had seen portion of the foundations of the old castle exposed to view when engaged in superintending some works which were being carried out by the late Mr. George Twiss in what are now the stables'. This account suggests that the castle was located in an area now occupied by the stables of Birdhill House. No visible remains at ground level.

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 19 September 2016

References

Berry, H.F. 1904 The antiquities of the parish of Kilcomenty, near Birdhill, Co. Tipperary. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, 34, 99-110.

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1934 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. II: county of Tipperary - Western and Northern baronies. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.