What is recorded here

Darranstown Castle vanished before records completed, leaving only a ruined tower and a missing owner. Nicholas Healy held the land in 1640, yet the castle already stood broken when surveys drew it in 1654. Its stones may still lie beneath Limerick soil, waiting for a footpath or a rainwash to give back what memory withheld.

The precise location of Darranstown Castle has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 194) recorded the following details about Darranstown Castle; '1590 Ballydorant (Hardiman, No. 56). 1657 Dorrenstown, old ruyned C[astle]. in Athenessie (C.S., xxv., p. 11), confirmed to Lord Collooney (Act Sett.)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Nicholas Healy of Tworyne, an Irish Papist was in 1640 the owner of Darranstown which contained 'one plowland whereon stands an old ruined Castle' (Simington 1938, 235). The 1654-56 Down Survey map of Athenesie and Kilbreedy parish map depicts a tower house type castle with adjoining two storey high house with centrally placed lateral chimneystack (NLI, MS 718). See attached Down Survey Parish map Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 23 September 2021

Darranstown Castle was likely built in the late 16th century, with references to it appearing in records from 1590 and 1657, though its exact location remains unidentified. It is remembered as an example of early Irish castle architecture and as part of the historical landscape of the Darranstown area.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.