Castle (in ruins) — Ballyculhane

Ballyculhane (Baile Uí Chathláin/the town of Ó Cathláin) Castle in the parish of Kildimo was described in 1840 as follows; 'The ruins of this castle stand in a rectangular space of about 132 ft. [40m] long and 120 ft. [36.5m] broad, inclosed by a wall of about 30 ft. [9.1m] high. Fragments of the castle walls are standing, and 3 chimneys remain, which ore about 50 ft. [15.24m] high. At each angle of the courtyard and outside stands a square tower, 2 stories high end arched overhead. The apartments in the towers are about 7ft. [2.13m] square' (OSNB Kildimo Parish, 922). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Major General Patrick Purcell, an Irish Papist was the owner of the lands of Ballyculhane which contained 'a Castle, a Bawne three greate houses and ten Cottages one Mill seate [LI012-165----], one Salmon weare [LI012-166-----] in repayre besides other weare seates, oweing a red rose p[er] Ann[um] to the Mannor house of Aghdare' (Simington 1938, 346). Westropp (1906-7, 160-1) recorded the following details about Ballyculhane; 'Sir Hugh Purcell held Moycro (Croagh), Ballycathelan and Clanech (Justic. R., Cal., p. 246). 1518 Gerald, Earl of Kildare, held Ballycathelan in Kyenry, Co. Lim., and the advowson of the free chapel of Russell (Rental). 1581 Pelham reported that Brian Duff O'Brien, of Carrigogunnell, got aid from Adare in Feb., 1581, and raided Kenry, taking 200 cows; Desmond and his men pursued, but could not recover the cattle, and lost "a son of old John of Desmond" (Carew ii., p. 225). The Grarrison of Adare sent soldiers to raid Kenry; but they were defeated and nearly exterminated by David oge Purcell, of Baile ui Chathlain, near his C[astle]. The Captain of Adare got aid from Kilmallock, and stormed Baile ui Chathlain C[astle], slaying 150 women and children (A.F.M.). 1583 Peirce Purcell held Ballycullen C[astle]. in Kyldyma (Des. R., 33b). 1612 Edm. Purcell, of Croagh, was granted Bally calhane C[astle]. (Pat. R.). 1640 Held by Gen. Patrick Purcell, as heir of his son James, under the Earl of Kildare, as part of Kildare Manor (Inq. Chan., 8, 241). 1657 The C[astle]. bawn, three great houses, a mill seat and weirs, late of Major P. Purcell, deceased (C.S., xxvi., p. 7 ; D.S.B., 16 ; B.D., 26). Fabric - The Down Survey and Trustee Map (35) show it as a large court with towers at the angles, a house inside, and a neat garden surrounded by rows of trees. There is a view in the "Limerick Field Club Journal," vol. i. The C[astle]. consists of a court 195 feet [59.4m] across, the walls being 30 feet [9.1m] high. It had towers at the angles, and an oblong "Castle" stood detached to the north. The fosse could be flooded from the Maigue. The "Estate Book" of 1703 describes it as a large castle, strong walled, with a good garden and orchard, and a stable'. Ballyculhane Castle described by Salter (2004, 63) as; 'An ivy-mantled wall about 3m thick and 6m high surrounds a bawn 45m long by 40m wide. There are square corner towers containing tiny vaulted rooms and spiral staircases. On the south and SW are windows and fireplaces of former two storey ranges of apartments. Buildings on the NW side are comparatively modern. There is said to have once been a 9m wide wet moat fed from the River Maigue. The castle belonged to the Purcells until the 1650s. After it was stormed by the English in 1581 some 150 women and children were put to death'. See attached black and white photograph taken from Journal of the Limerick Field Club, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1897. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 November 2020