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Bence-Jones (1988, 62) mentions an earlier house or castle (KK019-032001-) which occupied the moated enclosure behind the present Castle Blunden which was built in the 18th century. The Down survey (1655-6) barony map of ‘The Liberties of the Citty of Kilkenny’ and the parish map of ‘St Patricks Parish’ indicate a castle in the S portion of ‘Clonemoryne wood’ or ‘Wood of Clonemorne’ (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin). The terrier accompanying the parish map notes, ‘a Castle in repaire in Clonemorne’ and the proprietors in 1640 is listed as ‘Shrub wood & Timber’ in Clonemorne which belonged to George Shea. The townland on the Down Survey appears to equate with Castleblunden townland. There is no visible trace of a castle at ground level. The moated enclosure, possibly the bawn of the castle, survives as a large rectangular area (dims. c. 72m NE-SW; c. 60m NW-SE) enclosed by a waterfilled fosse (Wth c. 5-8m).
Compiled by: Jean Farrelly
Date of upload: 5 October 2020
This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed.
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