Castle (in ruins) — Bruff

Bruff Castle was described in 1840 as follows; ‘the ruins of the old Castle of Bruff, formerly the residence of Sit Henry Hartstonge, and after him of his widow, Lady Hartstonge, are situated on the north bank of the River (Morning Star) immediately to the west of the bridge and near the Church of Bruff. It measures thirty five feet [10.6m] from north to south outside and eighteen and a half feet [5.6m] from east to west. The doorway, which is quadrangular, is placed on the eastern side and is at present (the threshold is raised with stone work) but four feet ten inches [1.47m] high, two feet two inches [0.66m] in width at the top and at the bottom two feet three and a half inches [0.71m]. Over the ground floor there is a stone arch which springs from the ground. The highest part of the walls now remaining is not more than about twenty four feet [7.3m] in height; the greater portion of them is little higher than the first arch. The only place I could measure the thickness of the walls is at the doorway and where the arch springs; here the thickness if three feet [0.9m]. The features on the upper part of the walls are all destroyed. The first of ground floor of this castle is now inhabited by a poor family in the town of Bruff. To the north east of the Castle there is a quadrangular building called the Court [LI032-115002-], which measures twenty seven and a half feet [8.4m] in length on the outside but its breadth could not be easily determined. It is now thatched with straw and its features closed up with stone work’ (O’Flanagan 1929, 36-7). Westropp (1906-7, 170-1) recorded the following details about Bruff Castle located at the S end of the town of Bruff; ''C[astle]. and "Court" marked. 1420 Brugh na nDeisi (O'Huidhrin). The C[astle]. is said to have been built in 1220 by de Lacy. It was an appanage of the Hospital of Aney. 1583 Near Awney C[astle]. "is the place where Burg, alias A Burrough town, was formerly, which was altogether laid waste, long before the rebellion of the Earl (of Desmond), except a house or peel tower of Maughan mac Teige" (Des. R., 4b). Piers Lacy, of Broffe, was in Desmond's rebellion (Fi. 4369). 1600 He held the C[astle]. was defeated by Capt. Slingsby, and Brough C[astle]. garrisoned. Carew describes Lacy and the Knight of Glin as "children of perdition, not to be admitted to terms." Lacy was executed, 1617, and his lands given to Sir T. Standish (Inq. Exch., 1; Pacat. Hib., L, p. 55; C.S.P.L). 1641 J. Lacy, of Bruff, "a person of eminent power," took the C[astle]. from E. Standish, and from it harassed the English at Lough Gur. A rumour spread that the latter intended to burn Bruff; and this, with the fact of their burning Ballynegalliagh village, led Lacy to advance against them. He drew up his men on the hill; but the English did not venture to attack him, and he returned to Bruff. Unfortunately, while he was absent from home (against his explicit orders and his wife's entreaties), his followers hanged two English prisoners, in revenge for Ballynegalliagh (Deps., 359, 371, 457). 1655 Broffe C[astle]. bawn, orchard, and tucking-mill belonged to the daughters of Sir T. Standish (C.S., xxiv., p, 11). It was the chief residence of the Hartstonges, Baronets, in later days. Fabric - The C[astle]. was on the "Morning Star" river to the west of the bridge. It measured 35 feet [10.6m] by 18½ feet [5.6m], and had a square door with inclined jambs. It was 24 feet [7.3m] high, with a vaulted understory, the rest nearly gone. The defaced "Court" lay to the north-east, and was 27 feet [8.2m] long; both have been levelled since 1840 (O.S.L., 8, p. 102)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that the four daughters of Sir Thomas Standish were the owners in Bruff of 'a Castle Bawne orchard, tucking mill, grist mill, a fishing weare out of repayre' (Simington 1938, 128). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2020