Ross Castle

A castle at Newcastle (58) in Killeagh parish and Fore barony is not marked on the Down Survey (1656-8) barony or parish maps (http://downsurvey.tcd.ie/). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Thomas Neugent of Rosse owned 280 acres there in 1640 and on the premises was ‘an unroofed castle and bawn, 20 cabins and a fishing wear’ (Simington 1940, 271). It is described as ‘Ross Castle’ in gothic lettering on the 1836 and 1908 eds of the OS 6-inch map. This is a four storey restored and occupied tower house (ext. dims 8m NNE-SSW; 7m WNW-ESE) with a base-batter and parapet, but only the W half is original. There are good quoins and the windows on the W side are narrow pointed opes with chamfered jambs. It is within a subcircular enclosure (diam. c. 44-50m) defined by masonry walls that appear to be modern, and there is a modern one storey structure just NE of the tower. Archaeological testing (18E0203) by P. D. Sweetman within c. 5m to the N produced no related material (excavations.ie 2018:610). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 10 June 2016 Amended: 29 April, 2021

Ross Castle was likely built by the Neugent family in the 17th century, as indicated by the Civil Survey of 1654–56. It is remembered for its historical association with local landholding families in County Cork during the turbulent period following the Irish Confederate Wars.