What is recorded here

Ballinscoola Castle vanished before anyone measured it, leaving behind only a castle, a bawn, and two cabins on the lands of Derby Grady. It jumped between Desmond, O'Grady, and Grady like a marble rolled across a kitchen table, never settling long enough to be remembered properly. The field kept the shape of the claim but dropped the walls, which is perhaps the honest ending for a place that belonged to everyone and no one.

The precise location of Ballinscoola Castle and bawn (LI032-163001-) within the townland has not been identified. Described by Westropp (1906-7, 185) as following; '1583 Ballinscowley, Earl of Desmond (Des. R., 3), two towers marked (Peyton, p. 80). 1609 Don O'Grady, of Kilballyowen, held Ballynskeulye in Kilkillane (Inq. Chan., 3a), and Ballineskooly C[astle], bawn, and town (Pat. R.)'. O'Kelly (1942-3, 240) recorded that 'There is now no trace of this castle and the site is not known'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that on the lands of Derby Grady there stood 'an ould Castle an ould Bawne wth two cabins upon it' (Simington 1938, 111). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 6 March 2020

Built by the Earl of Desmond in 1583, Ballinscoola Castle is associated with the Desmond Rebellions, reflecting the turbulent political and military conflicts in Munster during the late 16th century.

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