What is recorded here

Castle, unclassified in Ballykeerogebeg belongs to the FitzHenry and Fitzharris line across four centuries, from John FitzHenry in 1324 to Myler FitzHarris in 1640. The castle itself has vanished from the location entirely, leaving behind only a repeated claim to land and a military duty that outlived the stone. What remains is a ghost of ownership, marked by names rather than walls.

In 1324 John FitzHenry, of the FitzHenrys of Kilcavan (WX046-001001-), held Ballikeroch by a quarter of a knight’s fee from the Valence property and c. 1425 it was held by the heirs of Mathew Fitzharry (Brooks 1950, 166). Thomas FitzHenry held the manor of Ballydeerogbeg by military service in 1553 and Piers Fitzharris held 180 acres there when he died in 1629 (Jeffrey 1979, 1433). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) a ruined castle and 180 acres were the inheritance of Myler FitzHarris in 1640 (Simington 1953, 183, 193). Its precise location is not known. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 January, 2013

John FitzHenry of the FitzHenrys of Kilcavan held Castle Ballykeerogebeg in 1324, and by c. 1425 it was in the possession of Mathew Fitzharry's heirs. The castle is remembered for its association with prominent Anglo-Norman families in the region during the late medieval period.

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