Baggotstown Castle (in Ruins) — Baggotstown West

Baggotstown Castle described by Westropp (1906-7, 183) as following; 'The Baggot family was established in Limerick before 1290. In 1587 the head-rent of Edm. Boggott, of Boggotstown, was granted to Sir E. Fyton (Fi. 5032). 1609 The C[astle]., mill, and weir granted to Baggot and Don. O'Grady (Pat. R., Inq. Chan., 3a). 1642 J. Baggot, of Baggotstown, was a member of the Kilkenny Parliament. 1651 Maur. Baggot exempted from terms in the surrender of Limerick to Ireton, which was signed by his father. 1653 C[astle]. held by Cap. W. Hartwell (Acct. Book). 1655 Ballinvogodock, or Baggotstown C[astle], " Ballingoody ould C[astle]. and ould bawn," held by T. Browne and Derby Grady (C.S., xxxi., p. 24; and D.S.A., 33). 1690-1 Cap. Hugh Massy garrisoned it between the sieges of Limerick to protect it from the Irish (History of Massy Family, Ed. 1890, pp. 238-9). 1703 Baggotstowne, estate of late J. Bagot, as granted to H. Lord Sidney, sold to B. Burton. Fabric - The east and south walls of the main wing are perfect. It is 33 feet by 23 feet inside, with three stories, the lowest vaulted. At the north-east corner is a tower 14½ feet by 13½ feet, with arched spiral-stairs, having five stories, the lowest also vaulted. The walls are 6 feet 8 inches thick, and the mullions, frames, and hoods of well-cut stone. Two oak beams remained across the building in 1840. The tall, clustered chimneys are of pleasing design; a stone fell from one of them with the date "1019," evidently 1619. There are bartizans to the outer angles of the wing and turret (O.S.L., 9, p. 271 ; with views, Len., p. 736). Site of Baggotstown Castle described by O'Kelly (1944, 18) as following; 'No trace remains. In 1840 parts of the E. and S. walls still stood. It measured 33' [10m] by 23' [7m], and at the N.E. corner there was a square tower which measured 14' 6" [4.4m] by 13' 6" [4.1m]. This was five storeys high and the roof of the ground floor was a stone vault. The walls were about 60' [18.3m] high and 6' 8" [2m] thick. All windows were quadrangular and built with well chiselled limestone'. Baggotstown Castle depicted as a tower house like structure on the 1657 Down Survey map of Any Parish (NLI, MS 718). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that on the lands of Maurice Baggott of Baggotstown there stood 'a Castle, tenn cabbins & two mills [LI040-168---]' (Simington 1938, 99). See attached drawing of Baggotstown Castle taken from 1840 Ordnance Survey Letters and 1657 Down Survey map of Any Parish. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 01 August 2019