House - medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

References to the castle of Scar date from the 17th century when it was held by the Bryan family (Jeffrey 1979, 87-8). The castle and 180 acres at Skarr where held by Nicholas Bryan in 1640 (Simington 1953, 145). He was awarded 80 acres in Connaught in 1656 (Hore 1900-11, vol. 5, 504). The castle is situated towards the top of the S-facing slope of a broad, low hill.

Offset to the W (by 1.65m) of the Bryan tower house (WX046-007001-) on the S side is a two or three storey fortified house (ext. dims 16.52m N-S; c. 8.05m E-W), of which only the W wall (H c. 6m) with a base-batter and a part of the S wall with a projecting chimney flue (ext. dims c. 0.5m N-S; 2.35m E-W) survive. The W wall appears not to have been bonded to the tower house and the house was revamped at some stage as the walls are severely altered with brick. Some windows, which are now blocked, are inserted. There is evidence of three lights on the ground floor, but the only original and complete feature is a rectangular window with a chamfered surround. There is no evidence of a bawn, although a stone-lined circular well (diam. c. 0.6m; D c. 5m) that is now covered is NE of the tower house and may have provided water for it.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 20 August, 2013

References

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

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1961 The Civil Survey A.D. 1654–56. Vol. X: Miscellanea, including a map showing changes to the county and barony boundaries since the Civil Survey (1654–56), 10 vols. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.