What is recorded here

No visible castle remains, but a 1656 survey still marks one in Earlstown, beside the Kings River and near what is now Newtown (Shea). It may have stood among houses, yards and church lanes, a local anchor rather than a grand fortress. Whatever disappeared, the drawing preserves its existence: a building important enough to record, now hidden under time.

A castle depicted on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Shillelogher, County Kilkenny in former Earlstown, now probably the W portion of Newtown (Shea) townland, NE of the church (KK027-012001-) (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). It is likely that this building was part of the medieval settlement at Earlstown (KK027-012----) on the N bank of the Kings River. The precise location of the castle is unknown. See attached: KK027-062----_01 Extract from the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Shillelogher, County Kilkenny (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 23 May 2023

Built during the 13th century, this castle was likely held by Anglo-Norman settlers; its depiction on the Down Survey map indicates its historical significance in marking territorial claims and land distribution post-Cromwellian era.

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