What is recorded here

Castle and bawn in Ballymurphy, County Limerick, vanished before surveyors could mark them. In 1655 the Civil Survey called it a broken castle held by Margaret Bryen, yet no stones or gate remain for a visitor to touch. What is left is a name repeated across centuries, waiting for the field where it fell to give back its shape.

The precise location of a castle and bawn (LI022-171001-) in the townland of Ballymurphy has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 154) recorded the following details about Ballymurphy Castle; '1300 Suits of Barth. and Elena Appelgard, with T. and Anastatia de Sancto Bosco and Jordan de Dykelyston, about lands at Balymoruth (Plea R., 52, m. 7), and 1315 of J. f. Ric. f. Ector and W. Appilgard, about pasture in Balymorghith (lb., 138, m. 7). 1584 Ballyvorraghowe held by Bryan Duff (Fi. 4486; and in 1615, Inq. Chan., 15); he had granted the C[astle]. and bawn to David Bourke (1625, Inq. Exch., 94). 1655 The broken C[astle]. and bawn, Marg. Bryne (C.S., xxxii., p. 11 ; B.D., 57). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Margaret Bryen alias Stephenson, an Irish Papist, was the owner of Ballymoroghow (Ballymurphy) which contained 'a broacken Castle & Bawne' (Simington 1938, 377). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 December 2020

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