What is recorded here

Boley Castle stood as a four-storey tower on a gentle eastern slope until men removed it around 1903, leaving no visible stones behind. Sir Anthony Colclough received the land in 1566, and his descendant Sir Caesar owned the ruined structure in 1641, suggesting the building fell into decay long before its final disappearance. The exact circumstances of its removal remain unknown, but the empty ground now holds more mystery than any remaining wall could.

Situated on a gentle E-facing slope. Tintern abbey (WX045-027001-) had 60 acres at Boley at its suppression in 1541 (White 1943, 359) but a castle is not mentioned. The lands of Tintern at Boley were granted to Sir Anthony Colclough in 1566 (Jeffrey 1979, 138-9) and in 1641 the ruined castle and 60 acres at Boley were owned by Sir Caesar Colclough (Simington 1953, 179). The castle was described by John O’Donovan writing around 1840 as a tower 'twenty six and a half foot (c. 8.1m) by twenty two feet four inches (c. 6.8m) outside and c. fifty five feet (c. 16.75m) high with four storeys' (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 361). A drawing by du Noyer (c. 1850) shows a narrow tower with complete crenellations and part of a bawn wall with a pointed entrance (Colfer 2004, 82, Fig. 8). The castle was removed c. 1903, and there are no visible remains at ground level. The circular moated site (WX040-020002-) is immediately to the NE. 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: 18 February, 2013 Amended: 29 January, 2014

Boley Castle was likely held by Sir Anthony St Leger, who received the lands from Tintern Abbey after its dissolution in the 1540s. The site is remembered for its connection to the suppression of the monasteries and the redistribution of monastic lands under Henry VIII.

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.