Macetown Castle

Situated at the N edge of a slight rise overlooking the deserted settlement (ME032-041----) c. 75m to the N. The parish church of Macetown (ME032-044----) is c. 50m to the SE. In the late 16th century Sir Christopher Cheevers of Ballyhealy castle, Co. Wexford (WX052-022----), who is said to have died in 1591 (Moore 1975, 4), married Anna Plunkett and acquired the estate of Macetown (Jeffrey 1979, 53). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Christopher Cheevers owned 290 acres at Masetown and 140 acres at Painestown in 1640, which amounted to the parish of Macetown (Simington 1940, 56). The castle is a featureless cairn of stones with portion of what was the NW angle (dims 4.8m plus E-W; 3.2m plus N-S) of what was probably a tower house projecting through it. A mantel from a fireplace decorated with vine leaves and the arms of Plunkett and Cheever (de Noyer’s drawings, vol. 7, No. 97) is now missing. It was inscribed with the motto of the Cheevers: EN. DIEV. MA. FIAVNC in French ‘in God, my hope’ together with the names: CHRISTOFER CHEVER RMIG ET DME ANE PLVNKKET (de Noyer 1893). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 6 July 2016

Built by Sir Christopher Chettle in the late 16th century, Macetown Castle is remembered for its strategic position overlooking the surrounding area and its association with the prominent local gentry of the period.