Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

The 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map marks ‘Site of Castle’ at the S end of Castle Street at the junction with Main Street [Pearse St.]. No castle site is indicated on any subsequent editions of the OS 6-inch maps at this location. No surface remains of any medieval castle in the area marked on the OS 6-inch map. Depicted as one of 5 castles in the town of Mullingar on Richards map of 1691 (Andrews and Davies 1992, 10). On this map the castle is depicted as a small square-shaped building standing on the N side of Main St. [Pearse St.] at the E end of the town. This location roughly corresponds to the junction of Castle St. with Pearse St. The precise location of this castle cannot be identified. This castle at the S end of Castle Street was reused as a barracks and was demolished c. 1826 (Ibid.). This castle appears to have been one of several fortified town houses similar to those at Ardee and Carlingford in Co. Louth. Piers’ (1981, 78) description of these buildings in the town of Mullingar suggests that they were still common in 1682: 'The ancient buildings here were old fashionable castles (WM019-089001-; WM019-089008-; WM019-089010-; WM019-089029-; WM019-089030-; WM019-089032-), some of which remain yet, and some are demolished, and better or at least more commodious houses are built in their room' (Bradley et. al. 1985, 116).

See attached image of castle annotated as Building D [Old Castles] and located on the E side of Castle St. at the junction with Main Street as shown on Richards Map of 1691 - taken from Irish Historic Towns Atlas of Mullingar (Andrews and Davies 1992, Map 4).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 26 June 2014

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Piers, H. 1981 A chorographical description of the county of Westmeath written AD 1682. Meath Archaeologial & Historical Society.