Desmond Castle (in ruins)

One of two castles (LI032-141003-) in the village of Knockainy, depicted as a tower house type structure standing inside a bawn wall (LI032-141014-) on the 1654-7 Down Survey map of Knockainy parish annotated 'Black Castle' (NLI MS 718). Annotated 'Desmond Castle' on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. The Urban Survey of Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 179) recorded the following about Desmond Castle in Knockainy; 'This may have been the castle mentioned in 1199 as being granted to John de Grey (Westropp 1906-7, 181). It is described in 1583 as being completely ruined but that it had a stone wall and a 'balne' (ibid., 182). It is mentioned again in 1655 when it was called the Black Castle to distinguish it from the White castle (LI032-141003-) to the east (ibid). The site was on high ground close to the Camoge River but no trace of it now survives'. The 'Towne Green' is annotated on the Down Survey map which shows it located in the field immediately to the W of the church ruins (LI032-141004-) and 'Black Castle' (LI032-141014-) (NLI, MS 718). Westropp (1906-7, 182-3) recorded the following about Desmond Castle in Knockainy; '1583 Awney Manor, the C[astle]. there entirely ruined, except the stone wall, with a great enclosure called the balne [bawn], a water-mill, upon the rivulet of Comocke," &c. (Des. R., 4). 1589 Confirmed to Edw. and the other children of late Capt. W. Apsley (Fi. 5347). 1627 Held in fee by F. Fitton, "the C[astle]. and walls" (Inq. Chan., 42, 191). 1655 Fawancasland, near the hill of Aney, held by Thady Grady, sold to Ric. Coote (B.D., p. 119) with Burgess Lands. " The other C[astle]." and mills held by Jas. and Dermod Grady (C.S., xxxi., p, 6). The "Black C[astle]." shown to the east, the "White C[astle]." to the west, of Aney (D.S.A., 31, 33). 1688 J. Baggot, of Aney (Trustee Map, "21"). 1703 The hill of Aney, late estate of Jas. FitzGerald, purchased by Alderman B. Burton. Fabric - The "Desmonds," or "Black Castle," or "East Court," now levelled. FitzGerald calls it the noble ruins of a castle on the river, erected by the Earls of Desmond (vol. i., p. 307)'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 26 April 2019

Built by the Fitzgeralds of Desmond in the 15th or 16th century, Desmond Castle was part of the wider network of defensive structures held by the powerful Desmond dynasty in Munster. It is remembered for its historical association with the Fitzgerald earls and its depiction in the 17th-century Down Survey, reflecting the strategic and territorial significance of the region during the Tudor conquest of Ireland.