Castle — unclassified in Herbertstown

Cropmark of large square-shaped enclosure (approx. dims. 107m NE-SW x 110m NW-SE) immediately W of Herbertstown Church (KD023-018001-) and graveyard (KD023-018002-) is clearly visible on Google Earth aerial imagery taken 28/06/2018. The enclosing element of the enclosure on the S side is not visible on Google Earth aerial imagery. Traces of linear field boundaries can be seen running off NW side, the antiquity of these field boundaries is uncertain and they may be the remains of post-1700 field boundaries. According to local information the field adjacent to the cropmark was known locally as the 'Castle Field' (pers. comm. Paddy Coleman, 18/04/2019). This feature may be the remains of an enclosure belonging to Herbertstown Castle which is mentioned in 1584/5 when a Crown Inquisition found that the prior of Great Connall abbey (KD026-003---) 'had an annual rent of 10s. arising from the lands and tenements which were held in fee by Edmond Goulding, late of Harberteston, viz., a castle, 6 messuages, 6 gardens, 120 acres of arable land, 4 of meadow, 100 of pasture and moor, and a great warren in Herberteston annual value, £8; also 60 acres of arable land in Knocksellet [Silliothill], annual value, 60s.; 7 gardens in Dowdingeston, annual value,3s.6d.; and an annual chief rent of 2s. out of the ancient town of Killussie [Killashee], all held from the crown' (Archdall 1876, 266; Comerford 1883 vol.2, 292). In 1623 an inquisition into the estate of John Goulding recorded that his estate consisted of a castle in Herbertstown with 100 acres arable along with lands in Silliothill (Cal. inq. post mortem, 42 Car. I). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Kildare recorded that there is 'upon the lands of Herbertstowne one Castle wch. is valued to be worth thirty pounds sterl.' (Simington 1952, 131). This survey recorded that 'Jeofry ffay of Herbertstowne' who is listed as 'Irish Papist' and owner of the lands of Herbertstown (ibid.). See attached Google Earth image taken 28/06/2018 Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by William Gibson Date of upload: 08 April 2019