Castle Annesley (in ruins) — Castleannesley

The manor of Annesley was granted to Sir Francis Annesley in 1618, and by 1621 he had built what is described as a small castle, which probably consisted of a two-and-a-half- storey house and court (Loeber and Stouthamer-Loeber 1987, 189–90). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Lord Annesley had an estate of 1270 acres in Kilmuckridge parish in 1641 (Simington 1953, 43), but the castle is not mentioned. The land, which probably consisted of the holding of the Ó Morchoes of Morris Castle (WX022-017----), was in the townlands of Castle Moro, Litter, Ballinure, Ballyheige, Tanekrie, Kilmockrish, Ballingarran, Ballinloe, Ballyhoboge, and the unknown Taininvony and Taneddan, which together may be Dundrum townland. The house is located at the head of a small N-S valley, with the source of a small stream just to the W. The site of a the house is now occupied by a farm complex. Only one D-shaped mural tower (int. dims 2.9m N-S; 1.4m E-W) from the E side of the bawn survives (H 3.5) with walls of roughly coursed stone (T 1m). The tower is now open-backed, but it may have had an entrance (Wth 1.5m) at W to the ground floor that has five lights (Wth 7-11cm; H 32cm). There was at least one light on the first floor. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 18 June, 2012