Ballymacshaneboy Castle (in ruins)

Westropp (1906-7, 193) recorded the following details about a castle in the townland of Ballymacshaneboy (Baile Mhic Sheáin Bhuí); '1590 Shaneboye and Knockshandeboye (Hardiman, No. 56). In 1655 it formed part of County Limerick, Ballyshondeby C[astle]. (C.S., xxv., p. 19; D.S.A., 58). There seems some confusion between it and Ballyshanedehey. Fabric - Only an arch remained in 1840 (O.S.L., 8, pp. 317-339)'. Tower house type castle depicted in Ballymashaneboy on the 1654-56 Down Survey map of Coshlea Barony (Hib. Reg.). The terrier of the Down Survey parish map of Kilcoane and Effin stated that on the lands of Miles Fitz Harrish of Ballymacshaneboy there are 'the Ruines of a Castle' (NLI, MS 718). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that in 1640 Meiler Fitz Harrys of BallymcShanboy an Irish Papist was the owner of 'an old ruynous Castle, a Grist Mill & a tucking Milseat' (Simington 1938, 241). In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that in Ballymacshaneboy 'there stood a Castle formerly, part of an arch belonging to which yet remains' (O'Flanagan 1932, 97; OSL Effin Parish). No surface remains visible of levelled castle. See attached Down Survey map of Coshlea Barony. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 6 October 2021

A local castle; wider significance not recorded.