Castle — unclassified in Mullingar

In 1609 an Inquisition into the estate of the deceased Thomas Hopp, Constable of Mullingar listed ‘1 castell called Castelmolrono’ as part of his possessions (Anon 1826, 3 Jac 1). Described in the Survey of Mullingar 1641-53 as 'one house and graden plot in the said town on the north, Mulroonies Castle on the east, the street on the south, and parcel of Alexander Hopes land on the west' (Ibid., 14). In 1667 the confirmation of a land grant to Sir Arthur Forbes under the Acts of Settlement and Explanation described the monument as 'one Castle called Mullroonyes with 19 houses & house-rooms thereunto be' (NLI p 1895). This castle in the town of Mullingar was probably one of several fortified urban houses similar to those at Ardee and Carlingford in Co. Louth. Piers’ (1981, 78) description suggests that they were still common in 1682: 'The ancient buildings here were old fashionable castles (WM019-089001-; WM019-089008-; WM019-089010-; WM019-089029-; WM019-089030-; WM019-089032-), some of which remain yet, and some are demolished, and better or at least more commodious houses are built in their room' (Bradley et. al. 1985, 116). The precise location of 'Castlemulrono' has not been identified. Possibly located on the N side of the Main St. (Andrews and Davies 1992, 10). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 June 2014