What is recorded here

Donat O'Brien held Ballyshane Castle in 1625, but Margaret Bryen owned only a stump by 1657. The precise spot remains hidden inside Ballyshane, reducing a proud tower to a ghost that refuses even to mark its own grave.

The precise location of a castle in the townland of Ballyshane has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 151-2) recorded the following details about Ballyshane Castle; '1625 Donat O'Brien, of Baliymoroghoe (Ballymurphy), held Ballyshane C[astle]. (Inq. Chan., 94). 1657. Ballishane, in Kilpichane, stump of C[astle]. held by M. Bryne (D.S.B., 21-23). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that the widow Margaret Bryen alias Stephenson, an Irish Papist, was the owner of Ballyshane which contained 'a stumpe of a Castle' (Simington 1938, 378). Tower-house like castle depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of Pubblebrien Barony (Hib. Reg.) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 December 2020

Donat O'Brien held Ballyshane Castle in 1625. It is remembered as part of the early 17th-century O'Brien estates in the region, reflecting the family's local influence during the Plantation period.

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