What is recorded here

Moanahila still hides the broken castle that James Butler died owning in 1655, leaving behind only a mill, a tower-like shadow on a survey map and a name changed from Cloghfollard to Pollardstown. The place resists identification because it stopped being a home for its first masters and became a boundary marker for later ones. What is missing is not evidence but the castle itself, pulled under the field like a stone swallowed by water.

The precise location of Pollardstown Castle in the townland of Moanahila has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 102-3) recorded the following details about Pollardstown or Monahila Castle; 'Moriertagh O'Brien held Cloghfollard C[astle]. (Inq. Exch. 7, 10). 1583 Cloghplallordy or Cloghenflordy C[astle]. held by Kynedy and Conor MacBrien (Des. R., 74). 1610 T. Pollard of Brampton, Devon, a tailor, enfeoffed James, Baron of Dunboyne, in Cloghpollardy, alias Pollardestowne (Inq. Chan., 9, 20). 1640 The latter held C[astle]. in fee (Inq. Chan., 178). 1655 Pollardstown, broken C[astle], James Butler; the townland meared on the north with Longford and corresponds to Moanahila (C.S., xxiii., p. 3). His widow Mary held it (B.D., p. 35). 1668 Pollardstown confirmed to J. Harding and T. Henry (Act Sett.)'. Tower like castle is depicted on the 1657 Down Survey map of Coonagh Barony (Hib. Reg.). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that the recently deceased James Butler of Pollordstowne, an Irish Papist, was the owner of 'a Mill and a broken Castle' (Simington 1938, 19). Castle and Mill (LI025-048----) depicted on 1657 Down Survey map of Coonagh Barony (Hib. Reg.). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 8 December 2020

Moriertagh O'Brien held Pollardstown Castle in Moanahila in the late 16th or early 17th century. The castle is remembered for its association with the O'Brien family, a significant Gaelic Irish dynasty in the region.

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