What is recorded here

Bawn in Rahelty stands on high ground above Rahelty, its four-storey limestone tower still proud despite the Civil Survey calling it a castle out of all repair. Theobald Purcell of Loughmoe owned it in 1640, and a circular bawn once ringed the castle, now visible only in the way grass and shadow move across the ground. A church lies to the southeast and a ringfort to the northwest, as if the whole ridge were one forgotten household. The doorway still faces east, waiting for someone who remembers the shape of the room behind it.

Situated on high ground with extensive views, a nearby church (TN042-005) to the SE and a ringfort (TN042-003) to the NW. Described in the Civil Survey (1654-6) as a 'castle out of all repaire' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 43). Theobald Purcell of Loughmoe is listed as proprietor in 1640 (ibid.). The well-preserved remains of a large impressive tower house (TN042-004002) four storeys high built of coursed limestone rubble with base-batter and rounded corners. Access to the interior was not possible due to a locked gate at the main entrance. A two-centred doorway with rebated jambs in the centre of the E wall was protected by a machicolation at wall-walk level (now destroyed). A circular enclosure around the castle described in the OS Letters is now only visible as a differential growth in vegetation and probably represents an earth and stone bawn (TN042-004001) (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 184-5). 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

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.