Castle Kevin (in ruins) — Castlekevin

Situated in the centre of the E portion of a square-shaped motte (WI024-003----) located on the W end of a ridge running E-W overlooking a marshy river valley to the N. The remains consist of a projecting gate tower of uncoursed rubble and part of a corner tower surviving at the NE angle. Originally constructed c. 1214 by Henri de Londres, Archbishop of Dublin (Orpen 1908, 17-27). Described in the 1838-40 Ordnance Survey Field Name Books of Derrylossary parish (SMR File) as ‘ all that is perceptible is a square mound about 40 feet [12m] high with the remains of masonry, surrounded by a deep ditch. In 1308 Piers Gaveston fortified Castlekevin having first harrassed and defeated the O’Byrnes and O’Tooles, in order to conciliate the English.’ The fragamentary remains fo the stone castle are difficult to undertsand due to the poor condition of the upstanding remains. The monument consists of a high steep-sided square-shaped motte (WI024-003----) enclosed by a a wide flat-bottomed fosse with remains of an external bank visible on the N side only. A short stretch of the wall of a stone castle or gatehouse can be seen rising from the base of the fosse on the E side of the motte, this wall rises to the summit of the motte on the E side with the remains of a possible broken out window or doorway embrasure visible at the base of the wall. A second stretch of walling belonging to the stone castle can be seen on the NE angle of the motte. The OS 25-inch map depicts the upstanding remains of the E wall of a stone castle standing in the fosse on the E side of a square-shaped motte. On this map the E wall of the castle which is aligned N-S has a cross wall running off the centre of the W face of the E wall. These upstanding walls have been interpreted as the remains of a stone gatehouse belonging to an Anglo-Norman castle possibly of 14th century date. The arrangement of stone castle or gatehouse standing on the E side of a motte protecting the entrance to the summit of the motte is similar to the Anglo-Norman castle at Newcastle (WI019-005002-). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 15 November 2012 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 110/1940).