What is recorded here
Briskagh Castle vanished before maps were drawn, leaving only a ruined house in Faha Garden where a headless ghost still walks. It jumped between Duff, O'Brien and Bryne families while its true position slipped away. The castle may be hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone to stop looking for walls and start listening for the ghost.
The precise location of Briskagh Castle in the townland has not been identified. Castle not depicted and is not named on the 1840 ed. OS 6-inch map. Westropp (1906-7, 148) recorded the following details; '1583 Briskagh C[astle]. 1615 Broskeagh held by Brian Duff (Inq. Chan., 15 ; Inq. Chan., 1633, No. 94). 1636 Dan. O'Brien of Ballynoe C[astle]. held Broskeagh begenkeough. 1655 or Broskeaghbrenikeagh. Donough was then deceased, and Marg. Bryne held it and Broskeagh more and beg (Inq. Chan., Car. I., 169, 170; C.S., pp. 16, 20, 23). T. Hallie held Broskeaghbecanikeagh (D.S.B., 26). It was perhaps in Briskaghbeg, where a ruined house stands in Faha Garden with a legend of a headless ghost'.
Compiled by: Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien
Date of upload: 8 July 2020
Briskagh Castle in Briska Beg was recorded in 1583 and is believed to have been a defensive structure during the late 16th century, likely held by local Gaelic lords resisting English expansion. Its importance lies in its association with the turbulent period of Gaelic resistance in the region.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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