Castle in Killesk

Killesk is associated with the FitzGeralds of Kiltranyn or Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny, who were descended from Maurice FitzGerald, after 1324. This is a cadet branch of the Burnchurch family, who are also known as Barron. In 1425 the heir of Hugh Barrye held Killesk for a quarter of a knight’s fee (Brooks 1950, 158-60, 241). William Barron owned land and the castle at Killesk when he died in 1568 (Hore 1900-11, vol. 3, 239). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) William Barron held 300 acres in Killesk, Knockagh and Drilstown as well as a small castle at Killesk (Simington 1953, 189, 193). The castle is marked separately from the church building (WX039- 034002-) on the 1839 and 1940 eds of the OS 6 inch maps. It is situated towards the S end of a low S-N spur. John O'Donovan writing c. 1840 (O'Flanagan 1933, vol. 2, 362) records that local people pointed out the separate locations of the church and castle, but the confusion is probably created by the nature of the fortified church, which may have been secularised by the 16th century and occupied by the Barrons.

Killesk is associated with the FitzGeralds of Kiltranyn or Burnchurch, Co. Kilkenny, who were descended from Maurice FitzGerald, after 1324. This is a cadet branch of the Burnchurch family, who are also known as Barron. In 1425 the heir of Hugh Barrye held Killesk for a quarter of a knight’s fee (Brooks 1950, 158-60, 241). William Barron owned land and the castle at Killesk when he died in 1568 (Hore 1900-11,…