What is recorded here

One of the most heavily traded castles in Limerick history has never had its exact position fixed. It changed hands from Walter Leo to James Bourke and others across centuries, yet even the Down Survey only drew it standing in a townland without marking the stone. The castle keeps its shape in ownership and mapping while withholding its address, forcing every claim about it to remain half-remembered.

The precise location of Dunkip Castle has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 165-6) recorded the following details about Dunkip; '1291 Dunkepchy (Papal Tax). It has been supposed to be Dunaiched fort 1002, 1090, but there is no identification apparent from these entries. 1576 Walter Leo held Donkipp (Fi. 2784). 1582 He held the ruinous C[astle]. garden, croft, and water-mill (Des. R., 71). 1587 Granted to E. Mainwaring (Pat. R.; Inq. Exch., 25; Peyton, p. 233b). 1611 It had been granted by Elizabeth to Rob. Cullome, who sold it to E. Browne (Inq. Chan., 6b). 1619 Granted to D., Earl of Thomond (Pat. R., xxvi.). 1641 Ric. Harte held it (Dep., 155), and James Bourke, 1655 (C.S., xxiv., p. 27; D.S.A., 49). 1667 Confirmed to Col. H. St. Leger (Act Sett.)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that James Bourke of Limerick, an Irish Papist, and one well affected to ye English interest' was the owner in Dunkip of 'two mill seates and one orchard, with a Castle thereuppon' (Simington 1938, 138). Tower house like castle depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of Ballingaddy Parish where the castle is shown standing in the centre of the townland (NLI Ms 718). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2020

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