Castle

Indicated on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of ‘The Liberties of the Citty of Kilkenny’ as a tower house like castle in the 17th-century townland of Knockbulkin and Scaldfurz (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). The terrier accompanying the Down Survey parish map of St Patrick's parish lists 'David Rooth Hen[ry] Archer & others I[rish] P[apists]' as the proprietors in 1640 (ibid.). The 17th-century townland was divided into several new townlands. The castle appears to be depicted in the N portion of the modern townland of Birchfield. The precise location of the castle within this townland is unknown. See attached: KK019-087----_01 extract from Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of ‘The Liberties of the Citty of Kilkenny’ (Hib. Reg., courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 14 October 2020

Built in the 17th century, Castle, unclassified in Birchfield, was likely held by local gentry or minor Anglo-Irish landowners. Its inclusion on the Down Survey map highlights its role in the post-Turnbull reorganisation of Kilkenny's urban and rural territories.