Bruree Castle Lower (in ruins) — Lotteragh Upper

Bruree Castle described in 1826 as ' the ruins of a curious fortress, consisting of three strong castles on the river, one entirely dilapidated; these are surrounded with a very lofty wall, with ramparts and battlements constructed of large blocks of grit, with which all the castle and old churches on each side of the Maig from this place to the Shannon, have been constructed. The wall is more than 120 yards in circumference; one of the castles is in high preservation, and in it are two strong cells, which according to tradition were used as prisons by O'Donovan' (Fitzgerald 1826, 371-2). In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded the following; ‘The Castle called Lower Bruree is situated in the Town land of Lower Lotteragh over the bank of the River Maigue. It is a very curious fortress consisting of a strong and high circular wall, on which originally stood three towers of great height and strength. This wall is one hundred and fifty feet [45.7m] in diameter and five feet four inches [1.6m] in thickness; its greatest height at present is twenty four feet [7.3m], which is on the east side over the river, but it is not near this height on the north side. The tower which is on the east side of this circle is in tolerable preservation, but the one on the north west side is much injured and the one which stood at the south side is now totally destroyed. The tower at the east side is about sixty feet [18.3m] in height, nineteen feet [5.8m] in breadth on the outside from east to west and twenty one feet two inches [6.45m] from north to south. The circular wall forms its east side to the height of about twenty feet [6m]. It is entered from the outside opposite the river by a pointed doorway of great strength, measuring seven feet ten inches [2.4m] in height and five feet one inch [1.55m] in width. When you enter the tower by this doorway, you observe an arch very high overhead between you and from which there are projecting stones and rests in the wall for three wooden floors, so that the arch above mentioned forms the fourth floor. By viewing this tower on the outside you will perceive that it was at least five stories high. The tower on the north west side Is much injured; it is twenty four feet eight inches [7.5m] from north to south and sixteen feet four inches [5m] in the other direction. These towers are built of smaller stones than the circular wall on which they partly stand, and it is highly probable that they are much more modern than it. Tradition says that this Castle was originally built by O'Donovan, King of Bruree, and that he was driven out of it by the Lacys, who possessed large estates in the neighbourhood of Bruree till they were dispossessed by Cromwell. I would not take upon myself to assert that this circular wall was not built by O'Donovan, who certainly retained possession of Bruree and the plains down to the Shannon until after the arrival of the English. This circular wall is so like the fortress called Caislean na Cailly in Lough Mask, which was built in 1197, that I think it may be an erection of the 12th century, and if so, we have no right to deny without direct evidence that it was erected by the Irish Chieftain of the territory to defend himself against the assaults of the Anglo Normans, who laid an envious eye upon the fertile plains of Hy-Figeinte’ (OSL Bruree Parish, O’Flanagan 1929, 84-5, 87-8). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that 'Eddy Lacye & Nicholas Haly of Towreene were the owners of the 'Castle plowland and Mannor of Brury with three small unrepaired Castles, & a bawne, one grist mill, one tucking mill and eele-weare' (Simington 1938, 279). Castle described by Dowd (1896, 61-4) as; ‘About half-a-mile down the river is a more important structure, and one somewhat out of the ordinary style of military architecture. It consists of a circular area about fifty yards in diameter, surrounded with a strong wall, with ramparts and battlements, and defended by three castles, only two of which now remain. Dr. O'Donovan says that the wall is much more ancient than the castles, and dates from a period anterior to the arrival of the English. If this opinion be correct, it is most certainly a portion of one of the chief strongholds of the O'Donovans or the O'Briens, as the descendants of Donovan and Brian were called after the introduction of surnames. On their expulsion by the de Lacys, the fortress fell into the hands of the conquerors, and was subsequently strengthened by the addition of the three castles, placed at equal intervals in the wall. Admittance to the enclosure is obtained at a gateway which marks the spot where was the original entrance, defended by the tower which has disappeared. The two existing towers bear no resemblance to one another. That next the river is very similar in construction to the castle just described. Like it, two floors have been destroyed. and the vaulted ceiling has remained to the present day. The stone stairs is in excellent preservation, and the sides are so loop-holed as to command the court-yard and the second entrance. A little more than half way up is a small chamber constructed in the thickness of the wall, and measuring only four feet square by seven feet high. At the farther end is an opening, communicating with the lower apartments. Although the tower is about sixty feet high, the view from the summit is very confined, the steep and high banks of the river shutting out the adjacent country. The second tower is much lower but is broader and stronger than that just described. It is not more than forty feet high, and has a massive appearance. A stone stairs in one corner leads to the top. In the lower story may be observed a small room, probably the guardroom. The dungeon till lately contained in its walls the iron fastenings which secured the chains, but now they have been quite corroded away. The portion of the encircling wall still standing is twenty feet high at its loftiest part, and more than half the circumference can be traced. The materials of the other portion and of the missing tower have been utilised in the construction of farm buildings within the fortress, and it is not at all unlikely that they may have been pulled down for that very purpose. The carved stonework of de Lacy's castle looks somewhat out of place in the front of these structures, nor have coats of whitewash diminished the incongruity’. Westropp (1906-07, 229-30) recorded the following details about Bruree Lower; 'Tradition alleges that Oilioll Olum, King of Munster in the second century, made a fort at Brurigh, called also Dun Chuirc, or Dun Eochair Maige, on the river Maigue. It is mentioned as a seat of the Dalcassian princes, and as claimed by the King of Cashel. In 976 Donovan inveigled King Mahon to a conference there and betrayed him to death. King Brian avenged his brother and eventuall repaired the fort in 1002 (Annals, Wars G. and G., Book of Bights). 1178 The O'Donovans were expelled and driven into Kerry by Donald More O'Brien (Ann. Inisf. ). They are said to have built the C[astle]. and de Lacy strengthened it. It was, however, granted soon after 1200 by Hamo de Valoygnes to J. de Mareys and Mabel his wife (Plea. R. No. 12, of xix1Ed. I.). It was held in 1290 by R. and Alesia de Mareys, and partly by Maur. de Esse with Culbalysyward, and Joh le Penry held Lisrede, Lisnemotie, and Brurys in 1296; next year, May, wife of Rob. f. John, held a mill and land at Browry. 1343 Pat. de Lees held Browwry from his father (Plea. R, 14, 22d, 36). 1420 O'Huidhrin names Dun Chuirc. It was then long held by de Lacy. 1583 Ed. Lacy de Bruerie held Brewery C[astle]. and vill. (Des. R, 18), and Ballynaughte C[astle]. (Ballynoe), in Browrie (Peyton, 37). 1641 Ed. Lacy took a prominent part in the civil war. 1653 Capt. Rob. Stannard held Brury C[astle]. on lease (Hartwell's Acct.). The Lady Eddy Lacye's estate with Brury C[astle]. and manor, and Tworin granted to Sir Cha. Lloyd and Lord