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Ballysimon Castle described by Westropp (1906-7, 87) as following; 'Baile Simoinn was the land of Clann Daug ; Beal Atha Siomuinn was land of Sliocht Riockard (Rental). 1583 W. Bourke held C.[astle] of Bellashemon (Des. R., 37), and in 1598, John Bourke. 1620-1623 Bealasymon held by his grandson Edm., son of Ric. Bourke (Pat. R. and Inq. Chan., 18a), who held it in 1655 (D.S.A., 4, C.S., xxix., p. 9,B.D., p. 104). Confirmed to Duke of York, and sold in 1703'. The precise location of this castle within the townland of Ballysimon has not been identified. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that in 1640 Edmund Bourke fitz Richard of Ballysimon possessed a 'ruined castle A Mill & two Mill and two Millseates' (Simington 1938, 465). Duplicate site with LI013-140----.
Tower House type castle standing between two watermills in the townland of Ballysimon is depicted on the 17th century Down Survey map of the Liberties Barony (Hib. Reg.).
See attached 1657 Down Survey map of Kilmurry parish (NLI, MS 718) showing Ballysimon Castle and two watermills (LI005-041-/042-/043-).
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 09 January 2020
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The map shows the centre of the officially named townland area, not the monument. The government record does not identify the exact monument point.