Castle

Augustinian Abbey/Priory (KD023-016----) founded in 1202 by Meyler Fitzhenry and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St David (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 154, 177). The precise location of 'one Hall' listed in the 1654-56 Civil Survey of Co. Kildare (Simington 1952, 129)has not been identified in the townland of Greatconnell. This 'Hall' may be the tower-like building depicted standing to the S of the abbey on the 17th century Down Survey map of Greatconnell Barony. The reference to the presence of a 'Hall' may be the same building as the 'castle or fortilage' mentioned in the 1540 survey of the monastic estate of the Augustinian abbey (White 1943, 157). The monastery was suppressed on the 24th of November 1540 and the estate was described as following; 'the belfry could be converted into a castle or fortilage to defend the town and district by the farmer who would need all other buildings, etc., on the 4-acre site; there was a dovecote (KD023-016003-) on the town walls (KD023-016005-), the demesne being 131 acres, and the possessions included over 1,260 acres, a mill, five castles, many messuages and cottages' (White 1943, 157; Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 177). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 April 2019

Built by Meyler Fitzhenry in the early 13th century, the unclassified castle in Greatconnell is associated with the Augustinian Abbey founded in 1202, reflecting the religious and feudal landscape of medieval Ireland. Its importance lies in its connection to early monastic foundations and local landholding structures.