Castle — unclassified in Ardfert

Ardfert Castle (site of). The castle originally lay E of Ardfert Cathedral (KE020-046002-) between the cathedral and the Ardfert parish rooms. Built by Lord Kerry in 1570 to replace the ancient castle built by his ancestors in 1311 during the reign of King Edward II. According to the Calender of State Papers Relating to Ireland Ardfert Castle was besieged in 1580, and in 1582 Thomas Fitzmaurice, Lord of Kerry, twice besieged the English garrison which held it. On the second occasion the English were forced to withdraw from the town after incurring heavy casualties. The castle fell in 1600 to Sir Charles Wilmot, and the account of the siege and final capitulation is recorded in Pacata Hibernia (1633): 'Ardfert for some nine days made good defence, and had burned with fireworks such boards and timber as Sir Charles had placed against the wall of the castle for his men's safety as they under-mined. But at the last, Sir Charles sent for a saker out of an Englishman's ship (which one Hill, the master, lent him), with a purpose only to break open the door of the castle for the walls were too strong for so small a piece to offend. The rebels at the sight of the saker yielded; Sir Charles hanged the constable; the rest of the ward, which was but eight with the women and children were spared.' The castle was then rebuilt by Lord Kerry (Patrick Fitzmaurice) in 1637. However, after siding with the Puritans during the Cromwellian war he had to quit his castle which he did on 13 February 1642 and fled to England. On the direction of the Council of the Confederates in Kerry, Captain Patrick Lawlor burnt Ardfert Castle to the ground. No trace of this structure can be seen today. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 1013. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013