Bawn in Castletown (moyne Par.)

Situated on an E-facing slope of rising ground on the W bank of the Black River in undulating countryside. Described in the Civil Survey (1654-6) as 'a castle out of repaire' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 55). James Butler is listed as proprietor in 1640 (ibid.). The poorly preserved remains of a rectangular, possibly late medieval building (TN036-032001) orientated on a N-S axis with a possible tower at the NE angle. The walls are constructed with coursed limestone rubble with base-batter visible at the NE angle. There is no evidence of a bawn attached to this building. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde, held Bawn in Castletown in the mid-17th century; the castle is remembered for its mention in the Civil Survey of 1654–5, indicating its status as a fortified structure during the turbulent period of the Irish Confederate Wars.