Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Kilcowanmore or Ballybrennan was held by half a knight’s fee by Adam Keating from William de Valence in 1247 and the Keatings continued in possession into the 16th century (Brooks , 11, 115-6). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Luke Kaeating owned 500 acres in Ballybrittas in 1641 while Thomas Fitz Harris owned a thousand acres in Ballybrennan, Carriggenjenane (Carrigunane) and Tomfarnine (Tomfarney) townlands. However, there is no record of a castle at Ballybrennan (Simington 1953, 218-9). The location is marked 'Castle (Site of)' on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6 inch maps. There is a mound (diam. c. 25m; H c. 1m) at the site which must contain the foundations of the castle, but it is largely obscured by spoil from land reclamation.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 27 August, 2012

References

Brooks E.St. J. (ed.) 1950 Knights' fees in Counties Wexford, Carlow and Kilkenny (13th-15th century). Dublin. Stationery Office.

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1953 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol. IX: county of Wexford. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.