What is recorded here

Orchards is the renamed Rathmines Castle, a 17th century mansion built by Sir George Radcliffe and caught in the Battle of Rathmines in 1649. Its stones may have tasted smoke, foottraffic and fear before becoming a private house with orchards beside it. The name changed, but the ground kept the older shape.

The house known as 'The Orchards' off Palmerston Park occupies the site of a 17th century mansion built by Sir George Radcliffe called 'Rathmines Castle' (Ball 1903, 101; Kelly 1995, 32-39). It was involved in the Battle of Rathmines (1649). The Down Survey (1655-6) map shows the building as a multi-gabled house.

Sir George Radcliffe built Rathmines Castle on the site of The Orchards in the 17th century; it is remembered for its involvement in the Battle of Rathmines during the Irish Confederate Wars in 1649.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.