(Site of) Castle

The following description of this monument is taken from 'The Urban Archaeological Survey of County Limerick' compiled by John Bradley, Andrew Halpin and Heather A. King (Office of Public Works, 1985, 214). "Westropp (1906-7, 105) reports that the foundations of a castle existed c. 1800, some 40 yards west of the motte in the position marked on the o.s. map. There is no trace of the remains today." In 1840 the Ordnance Survey recorded that 'there formerly stood a castle about forty yards eastwards of this moat [LI024-072002-], but the stones of which it was built, which were limestones, have been entirely removed' (OSL, 40). Westropp (ibid.) recorded the following about Pallas; 'Grian was a place of note in early historic times, having even then a legendary fame going back to the semi-historic or mythical periods. Legends remain of the princess Grian, now recognised as a banshee, and of the early Prince Oilioll Olum, of the battle fought by the High King, Cormac mac Airt, in 241, and of St. Patrick's visit to Grian in Aradha, circa 437. The place was also named in early times "Cnoc na gcuradh," or "Champion's Hill." It appears in the Annals, 918. In Norman times, 1216, it was formed into a manor and granted to the Bishop of Emly. 1233 Granted to Maurice Fitz Gerald, and a fair was established the following year, A large mass of material may be found in the C.S.P.I. (1233-1307), Plea Rolls, &c. It was wasted by Turlough O'Brien, 1285-7" Blue-streamed Grian " (Wars of Torlough) and forms one of the group of manors with Adare, Croom, and Wrgidy, held in varying amounts by Fitz Gerald, de Clare, de Valence, de Cogan, and the Earls of Kildare. In 1334 a grant was made for the repairs of the C.s. in Estgrene. In later days, 1544, Greneogoanagh was held by Thady mac Brien (Pat. R.), and in 1586 Toghe Asgrenan was in the patria of O'Brien-Arrey, including Kilduff (Peyton, 24lb). 1611 Sir Ed. Fisher was granted part of the ruinous C. of Pallace, the estate of Tirlagh mac Morough Brien (Pat. R.). 1629 Conor Mac Murtagh Mac Brien held two parts in the C. of Pallesgreny (Inq. Chan., 9, 76). 1655 C. shown near Pallice which was held by Murragh oge MacBryne and Sir Morris Hurley (B.D., 50 ; Petty, 67). It seems to have been demolished before 1680, as Dyneley notes that "there was anciently a Castle on a neat mound at Pallice" (R.S.A.I. viii., p. 283). Fabric. - The site was unknown to the O.S.L. (8, p. Ill) in 1840, but is given on the maps; the mote lay about 40 yards to the east of the foundations; there had been traces of strong walls there in 1800'. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 04 January 2019