What is recorded here

Castle stands in Ballygubba South, County Limerick. It is no longer classed as a castle because its exact place has been lost. What remains is a name repeated across maps and claims, marking land that changed hands several times before it vanished from ordinary sight.

The precise location of Ballygibbo Castle in the townland of Ballygubba South [Baile Ghioba Theas] has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 173) recorded the following details about Ballygubba South; '1569 Garrett mac Thomas, of Balligibin, gave evidence as to John Desmond, and Doneskeagh C[astle]. (Carew i., p. 389). Pardon to same, 1572 (Fi. 2158). 1588 It and Cloghtacka C[astle]. granted to R. and Alex. Phitton, under name of "Phitton's Fortune" (Fi. 5175; Inq. Chan., 6b). 1608 Edm. mac Gibbon, the White Knight, died, seised of Ballygibbon C[astle]. (Inq. Chan., 17b). 1657 Held by N. de Lacy, alias Fitzgibbon, and sold to C. Ormsby (D.S. A., 42, 43 ; C.S., xxiv., p. 2 ; B.D., p. 67)'. The castle of 'Balligibboe' is depicted as a tower house like structure on Sir William Petty's map of County Limerick. The 1654-56 Down Survey map of Coshma Barony shows 'Ballygibbo Castle' standing on the summit of a hill with roadway leading to nearby glebeland (Hib. Reg.). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Nell Lacie alias Fitzgerald an Irish papist was the owner of the townland of Ballygibbow on which there 'stands a stumpe of a castle' (Simington 1938, 121). Dunlop (1924, 133-4) recorded the following details about the Seignory of Ballygibbon alias Fitton's Fortune; 'containing 3,026 acres, granted to Richard and Alexander Fitton, Esqs., was aliened and sold by the original patentees unto Thomas Butler and Walter Bourk, gent., except one plow-land assigned unto one James Rushell, and was afterwards by the said Thomas Butler and Walter Bourk conveyed to Edmond Fitz gerald, commonly called the White Knight, and to Maurice Fiz gerald. The White Knight's portion descended to Sir William Fenton, in right of his wife's grandchild, and the other part is enjoyed by Gibbon Fitz Morris, son to the other purchaser. Sir William Fenton's portion he hath lately alienated and sold to William Haly of Limerick, alderman. There is no house for the principal Undertaker built upon this Seignory nor above one for tenants'. See attached map showing castle of Balligibboe and Down Survey barony map (Hib. Reg.) Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 11 May 2021

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