Castle Matrix

Westropp (1906-7, 214) recorded the following details on Castle Matrix; ‘1487 James ninth Earl of Desmond, murdered by his servants in Caslan Mattras (Len., p. 68), called Courtmattress, 1488. 1580 N. f. William held Matrascourte (Matrackscourt) C[astle], on the Deel, on Nekraghe, in Rathkealy (Peyton, 164; Inq. Exch., 10, 11). 1588 Granted to Billingsley (Fi. 5171, Carew i., p. 450); and 1608 to Sir J. Dowdall, of Pilltown, with the Courts-Barron, and the Abbey [LI029-031006-] (Pat. R. and Inq. Chan., 15a). 1616 Held by Edm. Southwell (Exchr. Lease, 32). 1642 Besieged by M. Herbert, and surrendered (Dep., 1903). 1655 G. Matrix, or Court Matrix, with Inishgousee, the C[astle], orchard, and grist mill on the Deel. Edm. Southwell (C.S., p. 58). Traditionally a Desmond C[astle]. Fabric - It was repaired by J. Browne before 1840. The tower is 44 feet [13.4m] by 35½ feet [10.8m] outside, 60 feet [18.3m] high, with walls 7 feet [2.1m] thick. It is battlemented, and has four stories (O.S.L., 8, p. 186)'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 14 January 2019 See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – taken on 04/03/2006.

Built or held by the Earl of Desmond, notably James, the 9th Earl, who was murdered there in 1487; the site is historically important as a location tied to the political and violent conflicts of the late 15th-century Desmond dynasty in Ireland.