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In 1247 William de Denne held the barony of Kayer by the service of three knights (Colfer 2002, 104), but in 1376 the castle of Keyer, also called Cloghnakayer, was granted to Stephen Furlong. The fief passed to the Butlers at some time in the 16th century (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 560-1) and in 1641 an estate of 2800 acres in Clonmore parish, including the castle at Keyer, was the property of Pierce Butler (Simington 1953, 222). The Butler land was in Keyer (Wilton), Clonmore, Edermine, and Ballilane (Ballyelland?). William Alcock acquired the lands in 1695 from Capt. Robert Thornhill who had been granted the forfeited Butler lands. Alcock built a house which was replaced by the present Gothic mansion in 1840 to a design of Daniel Robertson of Kilkenny. This house was burnt in 1923 but the ruin still survives (Bence-Jones 1988, 285). (Jeffrey 1979, 205 6)
The location of the castle of Keyer is not certainly known, but the present Wilton Castle is situated on a platform overlooking the SW-NE Boro River at a point where it turns N, with the stream immediately to the W. There is no evidence of an older structure in the ruin.
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: 3, July, 2012
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