Site of Currans Castle — Meanus (trughanacmy By., Currans Ed)

In 1841 the Ordnance Survey recorded that; 'The site of a castle is shown in the north of the townland of Meanus near Currans House, but it is doubtful to me that there was ever a castle there' (O'Donovan 1983, 73). Tower house type castle depicted at this location on the 17th century Down Survey map of the Barony of Trughanacmy in the parish of Currans (Hib. Reg.). The castle is clearly illustrated on a map of the lands of Farrenvorgane and Ardounmeans situated in the parish of Currance (Gilbert Manuscript MS 226, Dublin City Library and Archive). No surface remains visible of site of Currans Castle at the location marked on the OSi 6-inch maps. In 1986 the Castleisland District Archaeological Survey recorded that according to local landowner the stones from the medieval castle were believed locally to have been used in the building of Currans House located 25m to the S of the site of the medieval castle which was known as the Manor of Curryns. In 1298-9 the extent of the Manor of Inch [Castle Island] recorded that 'Gilbert Brun [Brown] holds 1 knight's fee at Curryngs by the service of 10s., and it now lies waste amongt the Irish' (Cal. doc. Ire., 255-6). In 1572 a survey of the lands belonging to the Earl of Desmond recorded that the; 'Earl's manors and dwelling places there [Kerry Cantred] containing 7 castles and towns. The Island, Killorullan, Berrowe, the Dyngle, Castle Maigne, the New Manor and the Curryne [Currans]' (Cal. Carew MSS, 414). In 1584 the Peyton commissioners, surveyed the lands of the late earl of Desmond, and described Kilsarkan as a: 'parcel of land lying on the mountain of Slewlogher, and usually demised to the said late Earl's rhymers, by the name of Kyltercon, containing by estimate, 7 quarters of land, which are charged before under the Manor of Curryns, amongst the 12 quarters of Cogrekerry, parcel of the said Manor' (Caball 1992, 178). In 1589 as part of the Crown Plantation of Munster, Queen Elizabeth granted Charles Herbert lands which included 'the castle and lands of Couranes [Currans]' which he was to hold 'by the name of Gwlade Herbert or Lemerycahill' (Nicholls 1994, 79). The condition of this land grant which amounted to 3,768 acres stated that the grantee was required to 'erect houses for 90 families, one for himself, [6] for freeholders, 6 for farmers, and 42 others for copyholders' (ibid.). In 1613 King James I granted Giles Herbert lands in Limerick, Kerry and Desmond which contained; 'The castle, town, or lands of Currince [Currans], containing the parcels of Moyanas, Tardecrone, Farrenrogane, Orchogile, Knockanleghem, Garrandaragh, Carraghmore, and Gortenslie' (Cal. pat. rolls Ire., Jas I, 242-3). The conditions of the land grant stated that he was 'to impark 600a, with free warren and park; to hold a friday market and a fair on St Peter’s day [29 June] at Cowrins [Currans] in Kerry co. unless when the said day falls on saturday or sunday, when such fair is to be held on monday and the ensuing day; with a court of pie-powder, and the usual tolls; rent, 6s. 8d.; to hold a court leet within the manor of Limichael otherwise Gwlade-Herbert' (ibid.). See attached image of Currans Castle as depicted on the 17th century map of the parish of Currans - courtesy of Dublin City Library and Archive, Gilbert Manuscript MS 226. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 24 May 2022