Why this matters
Thomas Butler, an Irish Papist, held Kilconnell Castle in 1640. The castle is remembered as part of the Butler family's extensive landholdings in Ireland and as noted in the Civil Survey, reflecting land ownership during the turbulent period of the 17th century.
Add the human story, a picture, a first-hand message or a missing place.
Earn 5 points after the picture is checked and accepted.
Add a pictureAdd its storyTalk or ask a questionAdd a new placeWhat is recorded here
In pasture on a N-facing slope. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6), 'Thomas Butler of Kylcon[n]ell Irish Papist' was proprietor in 1640' and the lands contained 'a habitable Castle [and] Bawne' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 202). Bawn wall preserved to W and N, replaced by trackway and concrete wall to E and potential sod-covered ruins to S are densely overgrown. Walls are constructed of roughly hewn rectangular blocks of limestone laid in a rubble formation. Wall (L 52.7m; T 0.88m; int. H 1m; ext. H 1.45m) defines W side of bawn. Breached (Wth 3.2m) is off-centre to N and stones missing from the W elevation at the N end. The return of the N wall (L 33m; T 0.95m; int. H 1.2m; ext. H 2.18m) is best preserved except where replaced by a concrete wall (L 6m) and trackway (Wth 4.5m) at the E end. A slight base-batter is evident in the N wall and there is a drainage hole mid-way along at base. Occasional spy holes in wall (H c. 0.5m-1m) above present ground level. Spy holes have a splayed rectangular, lintelled embrasure on interior. Interior ground level is generally c. 0.45m higher in S-half and c. 1m higher in the N half. The castle (TS061-100002-) is within the S side. A trackway truncates the E perimeter of the interior and has breached the E end of the N wall According to White (1892, 14), there were the poorly preserved remains of a flanking tower (since fallen) at the NW angle of the bawn and there may have been similar structures at the other angles. A wooded area, which may be the former orchard, adjoins to S and is defined by a poorly preserved, collapsed stone wall to W. Wall is well preserved in places and breached in others defining the S side. Later portion of wall (long-axis ENE-WSW) with stile is located adjacent S-end of disused farmhouse, to SE of bawn. Further section of similar wall close to E, on same axis. These have vertical coping on top. No cut or inscribed stone evident in later walls, except a possible triangular masons mark on a stone incorporated into the W wall of the farmhouse at the NNW end.
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 26 August 2014
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
Conversation about this place
Questions and messages sit beneath the source record. They are checked before appearing.
No questions or messages yet.
Ask a question or join the conversation