Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

Traditionally this is thought to have been built by a junior branch of the Roches of Artramon (WX037-007----). Walter Roche of Newcastle is the only proprietor known (Jeffrey 1979, 122 3). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) he owned ‘a handsome castle in indifferent repair’ at Newcastle in 1654. In 1640 he also owned 960 acres in Tikillin parish in the townlands of Newcastle, Killowen, Ballytarfan (Ballyharran) and the unknown Ballyboggan, as well as the ferry at Ferrycarrig (Simington 1953, 112). Newcastle is depicted as a ruin on Taylor and Skinners map (1778) (Andrews 1969, 143), and it is described as the site of a castle on the 1839 and 1941 eds of the OS 6-inch map. It is situated on a level landscape, but there are no visible remains of a structure at ground level in a farm complex.

See the attached section from the Down Survey (1656-8) parish map (N at right) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725)

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: 14 December, 2012

References

Jeffrey, W.H. 1979 The castles of County Wexford. Typescript prepared by the Old Wexford Society, Ed. E. Culleton.

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

Andrews, J.H. (ed.) 1969 Maps of the roads of Ireland. Shannon. Irish University Press.