Site of Castle — Castlegregory

Castlegregory is probably that which is referred to as the 'House of Hore' by A. O'Daly in his satire 'The Tribes of Ireland' (O'Donovan 1852, 75). By 1601 the castle was in the possession of the Husseys (Fiants Irel. Eliz., No's. 6494, 6498, 6504). During the Cromwellian conquest, probably in 1649, Smith records that Walter Hussey garrisoned the castle, but being pressed by Parliament forces the garrison escaped to Minard Castle where they were subsequently 'blown up by powder' (Smith 1756, 195-6). Though standing in Smith's time, no trace of the castle remained in 1841 (OSL). A number of fragments, some undoubtedly from the Castle, are preserved in a garden at the rear of Egan's shop in Castlegregory: (1) Fig. 216a. Two arched limestone sections of a doorway are now incorrectly assembled in an ornamental gateway. They are chamfered and the surfaces are tooled. The slightly recessed spandrels contain a contracted inscription: V.D.M:A.I:HLIYVI./HV:H.ET.E.M:M.E:E/.IO. B.MH.O This inscription, which is clearly legible, was incorrectly interpreted and expanded into a romantic tale in the Kerry Magazine (1854, 136-8, 151-6, 172-4, 191-4; 1855, 10-5). (2) Fig. 216b. A rectangular limestone block with splayed keyhole-shaped opening may have been a musket loop. Hitchcock (1855, 351) records that 2 of these stones were set on either side of a fireplace in a house in Castlegregory. (3) Fig. 216c. On the E side of Taylors Row, near the site of the castle, is section of the chamfered jamb of a door or gateway with ornamental punch dressing of 16th/17th century character on the jamb face. (4) Fig. 216d. Lying beside the inscribed arch is a moulded section of an architrave or cornice; it bears similar tooling and may have formed part of the doorway. (5) Fig. 215a. A keel-moulded sandstone block of unknown provenance, probably late 12th/13th century in date. (6) Fig. 215b. Two punch dressed sections of a chamfered door jamb with rebate. (7) Fig. 215c. A double-chamfered limestone block with a rectangular channel diagonally chiselled on one face. (8) Fig. 215d. A rectangular limestone block with a regular depression, .34m square x .04m deep. (9) Fig. 215e. A broken circular sandstone block with a central circular depression, possibly portion of a small millstone. (10) Fig. 215f. A carved limestone block with a regular depression; function unclear. (11) A dressed limestone block, .39m high, with rebate, probably fragment of a door jamb. (12) A rectangular limestone block with funnel-shaped rectangular channel, possibly a rain water outlet. (13) Six limestone blocks with punch dressing of late Medieval character. (14) An irregularly-shaped sandstone basin, .3m high, with an oval depression .3m x .26m and .13m deep. The rim of the basin is partly broken and has 3 narrow holes bored to a depth of .18m. Probably a font; provenance unknown. (15) A rough sandstone block, .22 x .23m, with a regular hole angled to its surface. Architectural fragment (KE039-155----) of the medieval castle of Castlegregory now incorporated into the fabric of Edenburn House which was described in 1899 as follows; 'There was only one stone remaining of this famous castle in our day, which was taken away by Archdeacon Rowan, and is now, we believe, inserted in the wall of Edenburn House' (Prendergast 1899, 29). Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 22 June 2022