What is recorded here

English identity remains unclear in the surviving details. The castle and bawn stood beside the rapids of the Maigue, where an eel-weir, orchard and fortified courtyard turned river traffic into a local economy. FitzGerald hands appear repeatedly across the centuries, suggesting a family relationship with the place rather than a passing claim.

The precise location of a castle and bawn (LI021-131001-) in the townland of Caherass has not been identified. Westropp (1906-7, 167) recorded the following details about Caherass Castle; '1150 Eass Maige Fort (Book of Leinster) as being on the rapids of the Maigue. 1251 Cathyrass, held by J. Flandrens (B.B.L., xlvii. and lxi.). It belonged to the Earls of Kildare. 1599 Ger. FitzGerald died, seised of Caherasse C[astle]. (Inq. Chan., 9, 6i). 1636 Mau[rice]. FitzGerald held Cahirassa C[astle]. and vill., in the Manor of Croom, from the Earl of Kildare (Ib., 184). 1657 C[astle]. bawn, orchard, and eel-weir on the Maigue, late held by Garret FitzGerald (C.S., xxiv., p. 31; D.S.A., 42). 1666 Granted to Sir Edm. Ormsby. 1703 To Geo. Evans, jun. Now held by Sir David Roche, Bart.'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Gerratt FitzGerrald of Cahirassey, an Irish Papist, was the owner of Caherass which contained 'a Castle a Bawne and an Orchard with an Eele weare [LI021-195----]' (Simington 1938, 141). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 December 2020

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