Castle — unclassified in Threecastles Demesne

On a prominent E-W ridge running along the S bank of the River Nore, which lies c. 150m to the N. The slight elevation gives a commanding view across the Nore valley in all directions and over a fording point of the river. At the E end of Threecastles, c. 100m E of the motte (KK014-025005-) and in the stable yard associated with Threecastles House. According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 2, 268) one of the three castles (the others are KK014-025002- at the W end of Threecastles and KK014-025004- which is the residential tower attached to the medieval church (KK014-025003-), 'must have stood somewhere in Mrs. Clarke's yard, close to its ancient "chapel" which still remains'. However, Carrigan's description of the 'chapel' suggests that it is actually the castle or tower house (ibid.). It is described as being, 'divided into two storeys by a stone arch. The under storey which, is said to be the chapel proper, is 25 ft. [7.62m] long internally and 12½ ft. [3.81m] wide, the walls being 4 ft. [1.21m]thick. The stone arch overhead is almost semi-circular and retains the old plaster ceiling unbroken. As there is no window in the gable facing the north-east, the altar must have stood at the south-west end. This apartment is now used as an out-office. The upper storey, which is also used as an out-office, and which probably served as a presbytery in former times, is 29½ ft. [c. 9m] long and 15½ ft. [4.72m] wide, with a window in one or each of the gables'. Gibb (1948, 26) states that, 'Very little is left of the third castle in Mr. Hennessy's farmyard, and what is known locally as the high stable has been built over the ground floor. The vaulting of this castle is in very good condition. A small portion of the wall of the castle is on one side of the stable'. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 20 May 2020