Memorial stone

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated to the NE of Borrisoleigh Town (TN034-046) on flat pasture in slightly undulating countryside with a nearby river to the S. A castle of the Burke family (White 1892, 105). The description in the Civil Survey (1654-6) refers to 'the castle and Bawne in good repaire, with an orchard, a good garden, a water corne mill in repaire, six thatcht houses and many cabbins' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 89). 'Richard Bourke als McWalter of BorresIleigh Esqr. Irish Papist' is listed as proprietor (ibid.). The castle was used as a brewery in the eighteenth century when it was radically altered to accommodate this new purpose (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 1, 189). A wall-plaque in the gable of the building to the NW of the tower house(TN034-046001) contains a seventeenth-century plaque dedicated to Richard Bourke dated 1643. The inscription, in relief, is written in Latin in Roman script and reads: RICHARD BOURKE ELLICE HURLY MARMORE CURSURGATO. FACIT HOSPESE HOSTIS: HOSPES IN AMPLEXUS SED PROCUI HOSTI. EAT 1643. (White, 1892, 105; ITA Survey, 1945)

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.

Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008