Castle

The precise location of Kilpeacon Castle has not been identified. In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that 'The Castle was which was lately pulled down by the present proprietor, stood near the church [LI022-018001-], and adjoining the Castle was the fine old mansion of Sir William King. Edward Villers Esq., the present proprietor has built a noble mansion [Kilpeacon House in 1820] near the site of the old house. In its vicinity is a place called Bawnachumtha or the Camp Field in which are some raths and circular fortifications' (OSL, 110). Westropp (1906-7, 174-5) recorded the following details on Kilpeacon Castle; ‘It lay between the church [LI022-018001-] and the modern house [Kilpeacon House]. 1300 Suit whether J, de Burgo disseised J. le Notour of the freehold of Kilpeghan (Justic. R. Cal., p. 341). The place does not appear as a parish till 1302. In an undated inquisition of about 1330, J. Lysnekylle held Kylpychan, then waste (B.L.L., 1); he also appears in Rupefort's Rental, 1336. The church is often mentioned during the next two centuries. 1592 Alderman Oliver Boorcke, at his death, owned Kilpeacon (Inq. Exch., Jac. I, No. 24;). 1652 Sir David Bourke was transplanted. The ruinous C.[astle] was sold to R. Swete (C.S., xxi., p. 21 ; D.S.A., 31, 36 ; B.D., 57). 1669 Granted to Sir W. King (Act Sett.). 1706 His son George succeeded, and the place eventually passed to his relative, Joseph Cripps, who took the name of Villiers. The C[astle]. and house, with a fine library, were burned, and the ruins demolished'. Kilpeacon Castle depicted as a tower-like castle with single storey hall or house attached to one side on the 1654-57 Down Survey map of Kilpeacon Parish (NLI, MS 718). On this map the castle is shown standing to S of stream running through the centre of the townland with medieval watermill (LI022-253----) to N. Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 9 March 2020