Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a bluff overlooking the W-E Blackwater River to the N, and separated by a slight S-N valley from Lismore cathedral (WA021-019002-) c. 140m to the SE. Reputedly built by King John in 1185 and destroyed shortly afterwards, the castle was soon rebuilt and held by the bishops of Lismore throughout the medieval period. Damaged during the Desmond Rebellion in 1579, it was granted to Sir Walter Raleigh in 1590 and later to Sir Richard Boyle, who started reconstruction work in 1621 and remodelled the castle. Captured by the Confederates in 1645, the castle is described as in ruins in the Civil Survey c. 1650 (Simington 1942, 5). It had been restored by the end of the 17th century by the second Earl of Cork only to be neglected throughout the 18th century. Rebuilding began in 1814 when the Lismore crosier and the Book of Lismore were found, and the present appearance of the castle dates to this period. It is still a residence of the Duke of Devonshire. No remains earlier than the 17th century are visible. Most of the work is 19th century in date and conducted in limestone; it is confined to repairs, crenelations and additions. Only the general ground plan of a hollow square and the base courses of most of the ranges are 17th century. The enclosed garden (WA021-019018-) to the S was laid out in 1626 and its walls are still intact (T c. 0.75m; H c. 3.5m). There are towers at the SW and SE angles, each featuring musket loops and wall-walks (Bradley et al. 1989, vol. 1, 80). A Romanesque doorway (O'Keeffe 1994, 127-9), probably from St Mary's church (WA021-019022-), is built into the outer gateway of the castle with an armorial plaque (WA021-019020-) overhead, and an ogham stone from Ballyknock, Co. Cork, may have been moved to the castle (Power 1932, 11). (Bradley et al. 1989, 78-85)

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. (1989) Urban archaeology Survey of Waterford City and County, 2 vols. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works.
O'Keefe, T. (1994) Lismore and Cashel: reflections on the beginnings of Romanesque architecture in Munster. JRSAI 124, 118-52.
Power, Rev. P. (1932) The Ogham stones: University College Cork. Cork University Press. Educational Company of Ireland, Ltd; Dublin and Cork.
Simington, R. C. (ed.) (1942) The Civil Survey AD 1654-1656, vi, the County of Waterford. Irish Manuscripts Commission. Dublin.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Revised by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 18 March 2011

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H. 1989b Urban archaeological survey - Waterford City and County (2 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Power, P. 1932c Ogham stones. University College Cork. Cork University Press.

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1942 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol VI: county of Waterford. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

O'Keeffe, T. 1994 Lismore and Cashel: reflections on the beginnings of Romanesque architecture in Munster. JRSAI 124, 118-52.