What is recorded here

Grenane Castle vanished into Tipperary pasture, leaving only a sunken oval and low humps beneath dense vegetation. It was a garrisoned manor with thirty thatched houses when surveyed in the mid-seventeenth century, yet no wall or chamber remains visible. The earth still holds the shape of a place where law, leasehold and armed residence entangled, while grass and forgetfulness completed what conflict began.

In gently undulating pasture, on a low rise. 'Grennon' castle is one of four castles mentioned in 1569 in a dispute between the Earl of Desmond and the Earl of Ormond (Butler 1914, 11). According to the Civil Survey (1654-6) 'On the s[ai]d lands stands a castle Garrisoned and thirtie thatcht houses & cabins. The s[ai]d castle & lands of Grenane is a mannor with the Royalties of a court leete & barron' (Simington 1934, vol. 2, 42). The proprietor of 'The Castle & Towne of Grenane & Ballyhosty' in 1640 is given as the Countess of Ormond and the tenant was 'Sr Hardres Waller Tennt. by mortgage & long lease yett unexpird' (ibid.). There is no visible trace of the castle above ground. It stood within an oblong area (dims. 52m N-S; 39m E-W), currently defined by a timber fence from W-E and by a linear stone field wall (long axis E-W) along the S. Within this enclosure there is a sub-oval, sunken area (dims. 36m E-W; 26m N-S) which is defined by a bank (overall Wth 6.6m; Wth at top 2.2m; int. H 0.35m; ext. H 0.7m) to the S and by scarp (Wth 2.2m; H 0.2m) to the N, E and W. The area within has low humps and hollows although no discernible feature is evident due to the high and dense growth of vegetation. A higher area of ground is noted within the NW quadrant. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

The Site of Castle, Greenane was likely held by Gaelic Irish lords during the 16th century and is mentioned in 1569 amid conflicts between the Earl of Desmond and the Earl of Ormond. It is remembered as part of the broader network of strongholds involved in the turbulent Desmond-Butler rivalry in Munster.

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed. The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.