Castle — tower house in Ballybunnion

Ballybunnion Castle is situated on the summit of a cliff and within the enclosure of a promontory fort (KE004-031001-). It was built by the Fitzmaurices and remained the seat of the heir apparent of that family until the middle of the 16th century. Little is now standing except the E wall, which rises to a height of over 12m. The entrance is on this side, but it is impossible to tell what type of arch it had or how large it was. There would appear to have been a window above it, but both are now running into each other to create a jagged opening in the wall. There is no sign of either a machination outside or a murder hole inside. The castle was constructed of black coursed masonry with cut quern stones. Extensive repairs have been carried out on the exterior and much of the original masonry has been obscured. The E wall has five window loops, all square headed and of varying size from slit to large loop. On the top floor there is a large rectangular window with a pointed arch in a ruinous condition. The E wall and what remains of the N and S walls have a slight batter. In the SE angle of the interior the spiral staircase lay; it is now blocked up. There are no signs of any steps and the stairway was lighted by small slit windows splayed inwards. There is evidence of a vault over the third floor. Westropp (1909) states that there was also a vault over the ground floor, but only two projecting pieces of masonry indicate what may have been the vault. In 1987 an underground passage tunnel some 30m long was unearthed (KE004-031003-). Access was gained by an opening in the S side of the cliff face. It extends towards the castle until it stops due to a cave-in, with another branch ending in a cul-de-sac. This man-made tunnel is constructed of stones in the beehive fashion, and the chamber is over 2m high. Ballybunnion Castle was destroyed in Lord Kerry's raid in 1582 and the Bunnion family acquired possession of it, but due to their involvement in the Desmond wars their lands were confiscated in 1583. King James desired peace and granted Thomas Fitzmaurice a pardon in 1603, and his castles and lands in 1604. In 1612 he obtained a patent in confirmation of his castles and lands, including Ballybunnion. The Fitzmaurices retained their lands throughout the 1641, 1651 and the 1690 rebellions and confiscations. By 1783 Richard Haro was in possession of the castle and lands. Ballybunnion Castle has been a national monument since 1923. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 994. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013