What is recorded here

Oliver’s Folly stands on Castle Hill in County Limerick, built around 1790 as two fake ruined towers joined by a stone wall. Richard Oliver-Gascoigne owned the nearby house and likely commissioned the deceptive monument. The structure still pierces the pasture sky, preserving his whimsical challenge to ordinary sense.

In pasture on the summit of Castle Hill (858 ft., 261m), 470m NE of the 19th century Castle Oliver House. Within enclosure (LI056-034001-). Annotated ‘Oliver’s Folly’ on the 1840 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Late 18th century folly associated with Castle Oliver which was the residence of Richard Oliver-Gascoigne (Fitzgerald 1826, 388). Recorded in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (Reg. No. 21905615) as Oliver’s Folly and described as a; ‘Freestanding folly, built c. 1790, comprising three-stage pair of sham ruinous circular towers with connecting curtain wall. Rubble limestone walls. Loop windows to towers with pointed arch opening to curtain wall. Lancet openings to towers (www.buildingsofireland.ie)’. Folly is clearly visible on oblique aerial photograph (ASIAP (319) 17) taken 05-10-2002 and on Google Earth orthoimages Google Earth orthoimages. Folly standing in centre of enclosure is clearly visible on oblique aerial photograph (CUCAP ATD059) taken 21/07/1967 See attached oblique aerial photographs (ASIAP (319) 17/ CUCAP ATD059). Compiled by: Martin Fitzpatrick Date of upload: 18 November 2021

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