Castle — motte and bailey in Killarecastle

In 1184 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that a ‘castle was erected by the English at Killare’ (O’Donovan 1856, 63). According to Giraldus Cambrensis the ‘castellum de kilair’ [castle of Killare] was built by Hugh de Lacy in 1182 (AU, 203). This castle originally marked the principal seat of the De Lacy lordship in Westmeath until its destruction in 1187 (Orpen 1911-20, ii, 81). In 1187 the Annals of the Four Masters recorded that the ‘castle of Killare, which was in possession of the English, was burned and demolished by Conor Moinmoy [O’Conor] and Melaghlin Beg’ (O’Donovan 1856, 79). The motte castle (WM024-004----) of Ballymore Lough Sewdy located 6km to the NW replaced Killare as the principal seat of the Norman lordship in Westmeath (Orpen 1911-20, ii, 81). A stone castle is depicted in the vicinity of the motte and bailey castle on the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4). The remains of this stone castle (WM024-049003-) appear to be located in the field immediately NNE of a ringfort (WM024-049001-) and associated field system (WM024-049002-) 230m to the NW. Motte depicted standing in 'Moat Park' on an estate map dating from 1828 (NLI, MS 21 F. 48 (024) ). Motte and bailey castle situated on low-lying poorly-drained land with good views in all directions. Motte and bailey castle situated 80m N of the Ballymore-Mullingar road with the Hill of Ushnagh/Uisneach 1.1km to the NE. On the 1656-9 Down Survey map of Killare parish (NLI MS 723-4) the medieval church (WM024-057----) and its glebe land are depicted S of a medieval road running E-W. The Anglo-Norman motte & bailey castle appears to have been located immediately N of this medieval road. This section of road depicted on the Down Survey map follows the current line of the Ballymore-Mullingar road (R390). On the Down Survey map this road turns N towards Gibstown at the present crossroads at Killare. This road runs past a stone castle (WM024-049003-) depicted on the Down Survey map. Nearby monuments include Killare church (WM024-057----) and graveyard (WM024-057001-) 190m to S, St. Bridget’s Church (WM024-054001-) and holy well (WM024-054002-) 210m to W, ringfort (WM024-049001-) and field system (WM029-049002-) 230m to NW. Post medieval corn mill 250m to N and mill race located in field 70m to the NNW and mill-pond in field 100m to W. Present remains consist of a high steep-sided flat-topped circular mound the base of which is enclosed by a wide deep fosse, with remains of a counterscarp external bank. Remains of a D-shaped bailey area on E side of motte which is enclosed by slight remains of a low poorly preserved earthen bank mainly reduced to a scarp. The S side of the bailey is obscured by a modern fence which intersects the base of the motte on the S. The external bank enclosing the base of the motte has been modified in recent times and there are modern gaps in the bank of the bailey. On the W side of the motte a few metres W of the external bank are the low grass-covered wall footings of a rectangular structure (dims. approx. 20m NW-SE x 9m NE-SW). A possible entrance gap marks the doorway of this structure can be seen at the SE end of the NE side wall. Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien Date of upload: 18 July 2014