Site of Castle — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Kilcosgrave Castle disappeared beneath a rectangular house built by the Langford family, yet its foundations still lie hidden near the farmhouse. The site has changed hands from medieval heirs to Desmond earls, Trenchard grants and Coplen marriages, but the castle itself vanished so completely that nobody remembered it standing when the house appeared. Rabbits once filled its warren until foxes destroyed them, and every later owner seemed to erase another layer of the place rather than reveal it.

Site of castle described in 1840 as 'The ruins of Kilcosgrave House stand here. It was a rectangular building, erected on the site of Kilcosgrave Castle, and was formerly the residence of the Langford family. Only part of it is now standing, and has been converted into a farm house. The original castle is demolished, and a house was built on the site of it' (OSNB Shanagolden Parish, 1603, 1608). Westropp (1906-7, 245) recorded the following details about Kilcosgrove (Cill Choscráin) Castle; '1299 The heirs of W. Roth dean under T. f. Gerald held Kilcosgrau; the rabbits in its warren were destroyed by foxes (C.S.P.L). 1452 Kilcosgrau held by the Earls of Desmond (Rental). 1583 Kilcosgrave vill. and C[astle]. Ed. og London (Des. B., 19b; Peyton, 192b; Inq. Exch., 54). 1587 Grant to W. Trenchard (Fi. 5078), and 1611 to his son F. Trenchard, who had leased it to Ric. Gyll. The C[astle]. was a sufficient dwelling (Inq. Chan., 6b). Francis held it. 1657, his daughter married Cap. J. Coplen, and their son J. married, 1677, Susanna Langford, and left the place by will, 1719, to her nephew, whose descendants hold it. Fabric - In 1840 the O.S. writers say that the house was on the site of the C[astle]. which no one remembered as standing. In fact, the foundations remain near the house'. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 December 2020

Kilcosgrave Castle was originally built in the medieval period and later replaced by Kilcosgrave House, which was occupied by the Langford family in the 19th century. The site is remembered for its historical continuity, reflecting changes in residence and architecture over several centuries.

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