Bawn in Caherelly West

Westropp (1906-7, 91) recorded the following details about Caherelly West Castle (LI023-083----) and bawn; '1283 Suit of J. de Norragh about Catherelny (Plea R.). 1323 And of Almeric de Bellofago and T. f. Rhys, about Milltown watermill there (lb. 139, m. 23). 1583 "Carelii duo castell," by W. Bourke (Des. R., 37). 1599 Tadeus O'Heyne died, seized of the C[astle]. of Caherely en-temple. 1622 His son Conor died, whose son Donat entailed the C[astle]. hall, bawn, and vill of Le Caherelly (Inq. Chan., 69b). 1629 He was pardoned for alienation of Caherelly West (Pat. R.). 1655 Dan Heyne held it (C.S., xxi., p. 28). 1667 The C[astle]. of West Caherelly confirmed to Sir W. King (Act Sett.). The connexion of the O'Heynes, however, subsisted to at least 1748, when it is noted that Hynes of Cahirelly and Clanchy of Ballyvorneen were the only gentry between Ballinaguard and O'Brien's Bridge who were not Burkes (FitzG., vol. i., p. 284). Fabric - A peel tower, 60 feet [18.3m] high and 20 feet [6m] wide'. Tower-house like castle with house attached to one side depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of Clanwilliam Barony (Hib. Reg.) and on the parish map of Caherelly (NLI MS. 718). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Teige Heyne, an Irish Papist, was the owner of Caherelly West which contained 'a Castle Bawen a Mill Seate & a marble quarry' (Simington 1938, 76). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 7 December 2020

Caherelly West Castle and bawn were associated with John de Norragh in 1283 and later with Almeric de Bellofago and Thomas fitz Rhys in 1323, reflecting Anglo-Norman land disputes in the region. The site is important as an example of early medieval land tenure and conflict in west Limerick.