Why this matters
St Selskar's Priory held the castle or fortilice at Newbay from at least 1540. It is remembered as part of the medieval monastic estate holdings in the region, reflecting the priory's influence and land control during the 16th century.
What is recorded here
References to a castle date from 1540 when a ‘castle or fortilage at Newbaa’ was in the possession of St Selskar's Priory (WX037-032009-) (White 1943, 368). The Down Survey map (1655-6) in the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725, microfilm; P7384, V, 1) shows a large house at Newbay, and according to the Civil Survey (1654-5) 198 acres at Newbay in St. Peter’s parish was owned by John Roche (Simington 1953, 299), but castles are not mentioned in the Civil Survey record of Forth barony. The NW wall (T c. 1.2m) of a building on the SE side of a stable yard has a base batter on the NW side and one corbel on the SE side, which may be part of a castle. It is situated on a low hill, and is at the SW side of a possible moated site (WX037-048001-).
See the attached section from the Down Survey parish map (N at top) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (725)
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Compiled by: Michael Moore
Date of upload/revision: 14 December, 2012
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