What is recorded here

Kilmacow Castle stood as a large square tower house with nine rooms and a strong defensive wall on the north slope of Knockfeerina. It changed hands repeatedly from Supple to Billingsley, Graves, Whittaker, Butler and Dowdall before the Peppard family lived there. The tower is now nearly levelled, yet it still hints at fine mantelpieces and a busy residence rather than a forgotten ruin.

Westropp (1906-7, 225-6) recorded the following details about Kilmacow Castle and bawn; 'An appanage of Keynsham Abbey. 1319 Sybilla de la Chapelle claimed one-third off Kilmecho (Plea R.). 1569 Supple's C[astle]. of Gillemakuo, surrendered (C.S.P.L). 1583 It was held from Earl of Desmond by J. Supple (Peyton, 57b; Inq., Exch., 11,54). "The large square C[astle]. of Killmackwoo,. with nine separate rooms, ruinous in parts. It is surrounded by a strong wall, built strongly for defence." Adjoining were gardens, a rather ruinous water-mill [LI030-187----], orchard, &c. (Des. R., 68). Granted before 1588 by Supple to Billingsley; 1590 by him to Rob. Graves 1593 to Ric. Whittaker; 1598 by him to W. Butler; the C[astle]. being a sufficient residence (Inq. Chan., 6b; Carew i., p. 450); 1623 by Sir J. Dowdall (Inq. Chan, 15a). 1655 W. Butler owned Killmcceow (C.S, p. 43). The Peppard family resided there early in the next century. Fabric - A large bawn, in which is a nearly levelled tower, which, in human memory, had fine mantelpieces. A farmhouse occupies part of the site. It is on the north slope of Knockfeerina'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 9 December 2020

Kilmacow Castle was an appanage of Keynsham Abbey and is mentioned in legal records from 1319 when Sybilla de la Chapelle claimed a third of the estate. It is remembered for its medieval legal and ecclesiastical connections, reflecting the abbey's influence in the region.

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