What is recorded here

Ballinacurra Castle stood beside a bridge and watermill on the Corkanrye brook, holding Thomas Arthur's estate until it fell into ruin by 1657. The precise stone has vanished, perhaps buried beneath the later house, leaving only a ghost in survey maps and a warning that ownership can disappear as quickly as it appears.

The precise location of Dewlish or Ballinacurra (Béal Átha na Cora) Castle within the townland has not been identified. Ballinacurra House may have been built on the site of the medieval castle. Westropp (1906-07, 151) recorded the following details about Ballinacurra Castle; '1590 T. Arthur died, seised of the Castles of Reibogg, Delishe, and Ballywiline (Inq. Chan., 17). 1634-1633 Nic[holas]. Arthur held Dwylish, Rathmichell, and Crewe Iwally (Ibid., 12, 112). 1624 Sir W. Parsons held Dewlishe or Beallancor C[astle]. (Pat. R.). 1657 Beallnacorrie, a broken C[astle]. and mill-seat on the brook Corkanrye, late estate of T. Arthur (C.S., xxix., p. 22; and D.S.A., 1-10)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Thomas Arthur late of Limerick, alderman and Irish papist who was lately deceased was the owner in Ballinacurra of a 'broken castle & a Mill seate' (Simington 1938, 474). The castle of Ballinacurra is depicted standing close to a bridge (LI013-012----) over Ballynaclogh River on the 17th century Down Survey map of South Liberties Barony (Hib. Reg.). A tower house like castle is depicted standing close to the bridge and a watermill on the 17th century Down Survey map of the parishes of St. Michael's and St. Nicholas (NLI, MS. 718). The location of Ballinacurra House as shown on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map closely corresponds to the location of the castle as shown on the 17th century Down Survey maps. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 November 2020

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.