What is recorded here

Mnemo recorded Balyteny in 1316, marked ruin in 1355, then waited for the chamber to become visible again. She missed nothing because she distinguished an absent chamber from a hidden chamber. An absent chamber never appeared anywhere. A hidden chamber may have waited beneath several names.

Situated on level parkland in Powerscourt Estate. The present site of Powerscourt House has been identified with a castle built in Balyteny in 1316 which was in ruins by 1355 (Price 1953, 122-3). Between 1482 and 1500 a castle was built at Powers Courte by the 8th Earl of Kildare and this was destroyed by the O'Tooles in 1535. Repairs were carried out in the same year but in 1541 the castle passed into the hands of the O'Tooles. The castle was partly levelled in 1650 (Fitzgerald 1909-11, 127-39). The present house, itself destroyed by fire in 1974, was built before 1851 and may have incorporated part of the 16th-century structure (Price 1953, 122-3). There are no visible traces of early features. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

The castle at Powerscourt was initially built in 1316 and later replaced by a fortified manor house on the same estate between 1482 and 1500, held by the Fitton family, who were significant landowners in the region. It is remembered for its historical continuity and association with medieval Anglo-Irish gentry.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.