Castle - tower house

The National Monuments Service's description

References to the Hay family of Tacumshin date from the later 13th century and they held land here until the 17th century (Jeffrey 1979, 41). Thomas Hay of Tacumshane is recorded as the Sheriff of Wexford in 1284, and n 1324 Geoffrey de St. John, Nicholas Hay and John Sygnite held 5 carucates (townlands) in Thahtcomesan. In 1417 Dionysius Hay held three carucates (townlands) from Magina Neville, the late wife of Philip Hay. In 1593 Mathew Haie died in possession of the manor of Tacumshane (Hore 1949, 29-30). According to the Book of Survey and Distribution (1660s) Robert Hay held 121 acres at Tacumshin in 1640 as well as 75 acres at Reedstown (Simington 1953, 304-5). Only the base of the tower remains (dims c. 8m x 8m; H c. 2m) but it is completely overgrown and inaccessible. No architectural features are visible, but it has been described as having a vault and two doorways, although the E wall was removed (Jeffrey 1979, 41).

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 March, 2014

References

Hore, P.H. 1949 The barony of Forth. Part IV. The Past 5, 13-59.

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.