Castle

A castle at Crossdrum in Killeagh parish is not recorded in the Civil Survey (1654-6) or on the Down Survey (1655-8) maps, although 300 acres there were owned in 1640 by Patrick Plunkett, Lord Dunsany (Simington 1940, 273). It is depicted as a rectangular structure (dims c. 10m NE-SW; c. 5m NW-SE) with a projection at the E end of the NW side on the 1836 OS 6-inch map. It is also depicted with a rectangular enclosure (dims c. 25m NW-SE; c. 20m NE-SW) attached to its NW side on this map. The castle is located on a low N-S ridge and was described in 1970 as a raised oval and grass-covered enclosure (dims of top 41m N-S; 23m E-W) defined by low banks on natural scarps (H 2.3m at N to 3.8m at W) on all sides except the S where the castle itself was visible at the SE angle. This was a small rectangular structure (int. dims 2m N-S; 4.2m E-W) defined by grass-covered banks (Wth of base 3-5m; int. H 0.4-0.6m; ext. H 0.8m at W to 3m at E) with traces of stone facing. The castle had a small rectangular enclosure (dims 8m E-W; c. 6m N-S) attached to the W that rose slightly over the N enclosure. By 1984 only a broad grass-covered platform (dims 55m N-S; 32m E-W; max. H 2.5m) which appears to be natural was visible. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 31 October 2018

Built or held by Patrick Plunkett, Lord Dunsany, in the mid-17th century; its absence from major 17th-century surveys suggests it may have been a lesser-known or short-lived structure, offering insight into local landholding patterns in Killeagh parish.