Castle — Ballybrennan Big

The Synnott family are thought to have been present in Wexford since the 13th century at least, and Ballybrennan in Forth barony is regarded as their principal seat in Wexford. Adam Sinad surrendered land at Annamult, Co. Kilkenny in 1204, probably for land at Ballybrennan, which was held by William Synach for a single knight’s fee from the Valency estate in 1247, and John Synod held it in 1324 (Brooks 1950, 147, 123). Gerald de Rupe (Roche) granted land in Fernegenel to David, son of Adam Sinad, c. 1230, and this may be the origin of the claim by the Synnotts of Ballybrennan on Ballytramon (WX037-009001-) in the 16th century. Richard Synnott of Ballybrennan died in 1591 and the property descended through Walter to Martin, but there is no reference to a castle (Jeffrey 1979, 1-2). A castle is depicted on the Down Survey barony map (1656-8). Richard Synnott of Ballybrennan was listed for transplantation to Connaught in 1653 with 21 dependents (Hore 1900-11, vol. 6, 503), but according to the Book of Survey and Distribution (1660s) Jasper Synnott had owned in 1641 560 acres in Ballybrennan parish at Ballybrennan, Loughard, Martinstown, Ballycarran, Ballykerreen, Yoletown and Rathdowne and fford, which is probably Ford of Ling townland (Simington 1953, 303). The castle was situated on a level, low-lying landscape with a small S-N stream c. 50m to the W, and the original SW corner of South Wexford harbour is c. 200m to the N. Lewis records that it was owned by the earl of Rathdown, but it had been taken down by the tenant, R. Jones (1837, vol. 1, 124). The 1839 ed. of the OS 6-inch map identifies a building c. 25m N of Ballybrennan House as the Castle, but the base of the castle is just E of the present house. Its walls are 3-4 feet thick (c. 1m) and it survives to two storeys with false crenelations on the S front. One narrow pointed window in the S wall may be an original feature but it is set in brick. The windmill (WX048-001002-) is c. 90m to the SSE and Ballybrennan church (WX048-002001-) is c. 200m to the SW. See the attached view from the Down Survey barony map (N at right) reproduced courtesy of the National Library of Ireland (Ms 725). 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: 2 January 2014