Castle (in ruins) — Rathronan

Situated on a broad rise in a fairly level landscape. It is described as a castle in ruins on the 1839 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Mulrankin was held by the Brown family from the 13th century at least (Brooks 1950, 34-5), but their main centre in the later middle ages was Mulrankin castle (WX047-031----). Rathronan, which is within the parish but c. 1.5km NW of Mulrankin, was probably established for a younger branch of the family. Nicholas Browne of Rathronan was listed as a gentleman in 1608, and in 1633 Nicholas Brown of Rathronan or Ballycrosse possessed 60 acres at Ballycrosse (Jeffrey 1979, 87). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Thomas Browne owned 60 acres and the castle at Rathronan (Simington 1953, 156). Rathronan passed to the Cliffe family in the later 17th century, but a branch of the Borwnes returned to Rathronan in 1851 (Browne and Whelan 1987, 479-80). The tower (ext. dims 7.1m NW-SE; c. 7m NE-SW; H c. 8m) is extensively rebuilt, but it survives to three storeys with few original features apart from a barrel-vault. A slit window on the NW side at the second floor is also original. The castle has false crenellations on the NW front, and it is incorporated in a thatched two storey house on its SW side. 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 October, 2013