(Site of) Castle — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Adam Keating held half a knight’s fee at Ballybrennan from William de Valence in 1247, anchoring his family there until the 16th century. A broad mound still marks the castle site, though reclaimed land has buried most of its foundations. The keating name survived into the Civil Survey era, suggesting the castle remained a living centre long after its stone walls fell from memory.

Kilcowanmore or Ballybrennan was held by half a knight’s fee by Adam Keating from William de Valence in 1247 and the Keatings continued in possession into the 16th century (Brooks , 11, 115-6). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) Luke Kaeating owned 500 acres in Ballybrittas in 1641 while Thomas Fitz Harris owned a thousand acres in Ballybrennan, Carriggenjenane (Carrigunane) and Tomfarnine (Tomfarney) townlands. However, there is no record of a castle at Ballybrennan (Simington 1953, 218-9). The location is marked 'Castle (Site of)' on the 1839 and 1925 eds of the OS 6 inch maps. There is a mound (diam. c. 25m; H c. 1m) at the site which must contain the foundations of the castle, but it is largely obscured by spoil from land reclamation. 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: 27 August, 2012

The site of Castle Ballybrennan was held by the Keating family from at least 1247, when Adam Keating received a half knight’s fee from William de Valence, and remained in their possession into the 16th century. It is remembered as evidence of Anglo-Norman land distribution and Gaelic lordship continuity in the region.

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