What is recorded here

Knocklyon Castle is a three-storey tower house at the foot of the Dublin Mountains, tied to Walter de Ridelesford in the medieval period and later occupied by Piers Archbold in the 17th century. Its angular towers, spiral stair and inserted fireplaces suggest a building repeatedly adapted rather than abandoned, even when called ruinous. The castle now stands beside a housing estate, its medieval bones hidden under pebble dash and newer roofs, yet still shaping the edge of the modern suburb.

Located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains off a by road that leads to Castlefield Manor housing estate. Knocklyon Castle was associated with Walter de Ridelesford in the medieval period. In the 16th century the castle was said to be ruinous but was, nevertheless, occupied in the 17th century by Piers Archbold, son of Richard Archbold of Kilmacud (Ball 1905, III, 29). It was subsequently converted into a dwelling house. The tower house rises to three storeys with a slated, hipped roof. The exterior has been pebble-dashed. It has a rectangular ground plan (int. dims. L 8.7m; Wth 5.6m) with angle towers in NE and SW angles that have plain slit opes. There is a spiral stairs in the SW tower. A fireplace has been inserted into the E wall at this level. Two-light windows have been inserted into the main floors. The towerhouse can also be entered through a modern opening in the SW tower. A cone-shaped roof has recently been added to the later (Handcock 1899, 95-6; Healy 1975, 1-19). Compilde by Geraldine Stout Date of upload: 25th April 2012

was held by the de Ridelesford family in the medieval period and later by the Talbot family in the 16th century. It is remembered for its historical association with prominent Anglo-Norman families in the Dublin region.

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