What is recorded here

Castle and castle. No consistent description exists. What is called castle may be chamber, chamber may be chamber, chamber may be chamber. Better to show the parts and admit the gap than invent a building.

Newtown Castle described by Westropp (1906-7, 149) as following; '1283-1321. A series of law suits of Simon Wallys and others holding "Neweton in Esclon," or " de Esclon" (Pipe R., No. 14; Plea R., No. 131, &c). 1502 Donough O'Brien was Lord from Adare to Limerick, and from Baile nuadh to Monasteranenagh, died (A.F.M.). 1636 Galfrid Galwey died seised of Ballinoe more and begg, alias Newtown, which he had settled on D. Nihell (Inq. Chan., 181). 1657 Balinoe, an old C,[astle] demolished, with a fish-weir, late property of D. O'Brien (C.S., xxxii., p. 30). 1666 Confirmed with the C[astle]. ploughland to Michael Boyle (Act Sett.)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Donnogh O'Bryne of Carrigogunnell held in Ballinoe or Newtown an 'Old Castle thereupon a demolished fishing weare and som[e] few Cabins' (Simington 1938, 391). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 08 January 2020

Newtown Castle was likely held by Simon Wallys and others in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, as recorded in legal documents from 1283 to 1321. It is remembered for its association with land disputes in the Esclon area, reflecting feudal tensions and land ownership issues of the period.

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