What is recorded here

Fanningstown Castle measured fifty-six feet by twenty-eight before disappearing entirely from the Limerick landscape. Held by the Earl of Thomond and listed as ruinous in the 1650s, it lost its last visible walls between that survey and the 1943 record. The townland keeps the shape of a building that no longer exists, turning a familiar local name into a phantom room.

No surface remains visible of Fanningstown Castle recorded in 1943 as there 'is now no trace of this castle' (O'Kelly 1943, 224). In 1840 the upstanding castle was then described as following; 'The old Castle of Fanningstown, situated in the townland of that name, has fallen nearly into utter ruin. It measures about fifty six feet [17m] by twenty eight feet [8.5m]. Only fragments of the walls about six feet [1.8m] in height remain up' (OSL, 108). Westropp (1906-7, 176) recorded the following details on Fanningstown; ‘1410 Ballyanhiny or Fanningstown in Fedamore (Torn Rolls, White MS.). 1583 ffanyngstown or Ballynanyng C.[astle] (Des. R. 5b). 1592 Granted to Mainwaring (Inq. Exch., 25). 1618 By him to D., Earl of Thomond. 1657 ffaningestowne, a ruinous Castle., B. Earl of Thomond (C.S., p. 18)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Barnaby, Earl of Thomond was the owner of the lands of Fanningstown on which there was 'an oulde Ruinous Castle & six Cabbins' (Simington 1938, 106). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 03 January 2019

Fanningstown Castle was built in the early 17th century by the Fitzgerald family, who were prominent landowners in the region. It is remembered for its historical significance as a symbol of local Gaelic aristocracy before its decline and eventual ruin by the mid-20th century.

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