Water mill

The precise location of two watermill sites in the townland of Dunmoylan has not been identified. The mill formed part of the Manor of Dunmoylan Castle (LI019-243----) and church (LI019-102001-). The medieval watermill belonging to the Castle of Dunmoylan was described in 16th century Desmond Survey as following; 'the castle of Donmoylin which is a great castle with a large enclosure or "Balne" surrounded with a stone wall strongly built for defense; rise and with divers buildings adjacent very ruinous, also with gardens, small closes and a water mill similarly in decay, and a watercourse there all worth yearly 1l. 6s 8d. The premises were demised to Ollyver Stephenson by lease under the great seal of Ireland dated 27 April 1582 at the rent of 5l. 12s. 2 ½d. Irish, with a proviso to answer any further duties that should be found chargeable on the lands' (Murphy 2013). Westropp (1906-7, 244) recorded the following details about Dunmoylan mill; '1581-3 Hugo Falltach, or Wall, held the "great C[astle] in a great enclosure or balne [bawn]" built for defence, with a stone wall, very ruinous, a garden, water mill, and a little close in decay (Des. R., 68b)'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Richard Stephenson of 'Doonemoylline' was the proprietor of 'The Castle Mann[o]r and plowland of Doonemoylline' along with 'two mill seates' (Simington 1938, 321). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 21 April 2020