the manor, which he granted to Henry de Loundres in 1216, on condition
that he should build and maintain Castlekevin, near Glendalough, County
Wicklow, to defend the pale in that quarter from the invasions of the
great Irish families of O’Toole and O’Byrne.
We read later (1380) that Sir Nicholas Daggeworth seized the manor of
Swords as Commissioner of Forfeitures, on the plea that the conditions
above stated had not been complied with. He, however, afterwards
confessed that the charge had not been proved, and therefore a writ of
restitution was issued by the Treasurers and Barons of the Exchequer to
Robert de Wykeford, Archbishop of Dublin.
The great prelates seem to have lived in almost royal state within
their manor of Swords. They had their own seneschal, who was exempt
from the authority of the sheriff of the county, and the law courts.
The archbishops could try every case except the four pleas of the
Crown, and their gallows was erected near the town on an eminence since
known as Gallows Hill. Every writ issued from the civil courts had to
be transferred to the prelates’ seneschal before it could be served.
The office of chief constable of the palace was a post of considerable
importance, and survived the occupation of the castle for a
considerable time. William Galrote held the position in 1220, Sampson
de Crumba in 1240, and Thomas Fitzsimons in 1547.
In 1624 we read that Patrick Barnewell, of Grace Dieu, received
pardon for alienation of certain interests, amongst which was the
Constableship of Swords with ten acres in the Broad Meadow that
belonged to the office.
It was most likely in connection with this post that the Lords of
Kingsland were required to attend the Archbishop whenever he visited
Swords, and to hold his stirrup as he mounted or dismounted, for which
service they held lands to the value of some £300 a year.
It seems to be uncertain at what exact period the castle ceased to
be used as a residence by the Archbishops, but in 1324 Alexander de
Bicknor built the archiepiscopal palace of Tallaght, which was used as
a country seat for the Archbishops for centuries, and only ceased to be
considered as a palace in 1821.
It is most likely, therefore, that the invasion of Ireland by Edward
Bruce, brother to the King of Scotland, rendered the position of Swords
palace (which was not wholly built for defence) a somewhat dangerous
one, as Bruce, having his headquarters at Dundalk, was in possession of
the country almost up to the walls of Dublin.
In 1326 this same Alexander de Bicknor having displeased Edward II.,
and also being in arrears with his accounts as Lord Treasurer, the
profits of his See were seized by the King to compensate for the
deficiency, and in order to ascertain their real value inquisitions by
jurors were held on the different manors.
The finding as regards the palace of Swords was as follows:--
“Who being sworn, say on oath, that there is in this place a hall,
and the chamber adjoining said hall, the walls of which are of stone,
crenelated after the manner of a castle, and covered with shingles.
“Further, there is a kitchen, together with a larder, the walls of
which are of stone, roofed with shingles. And there is in the same
place a chapel, the walls of which are of stone, roofed with shingles.
Also there was in the same a chamber for friars, with a cloister,
which is now prostrate. Also, there are in the same place a chamber,
or apartment, for the constables by the gate, and four chambers for
soldiers and warders, roofed with shingles, under which are a stable
and bake-house.
“Also, there were here a house for a dairy, and a workshop, which are
now prostrate. Also, there is on the premises in the haggard a shed
made of planks, and thatched with straw. Also, a granary, built with
timber and roofed with boards. Also, a byre, for the housing of farm
horses and bullocks.
“The profits of all the above-recited premises, they return as of
no value, because nothing is to be derived from them, either in the
letting of the houses, or in any other way. And they need thorough
repair, inasmuch as they are badly roofed.”
This gives some idea of the lost buildings, and also shows that even at
this date the castle was beginning to decay.
Later the manor of Swords seems several times to have been granted
to archbishops who wished during their lives to resign the arduous
duties of the See. In 1484 we read that “Doctor Walton, Archbishop of
Dublin, being blind and infirm, resigned his dignity, and reserved to
himself for a maintenance the manor of Swords during his life, which
reservation was confirmed to him by Act of Parliament during the
following year.” And again, in 1562, it is recorded that, by Act of
Parliament, John, late Archbishop of Dublin, was assured the manor of
Swords for his life in consideration of surrendering the bishopric to
Walter FitzSymons.
There is no evidence to show that these aged prelates ever resided in
the castle, and as the following extract, written in 1583, records its
state of ruin, it is most likely they were content with the revenues
alone.
Sir Henry Sydney, Lord Deputy in Queen Elizabeth’s reign, when sending
to Sir Francis Walsingham a summary of his services in Ireland, says:
“I caused to plant and inhabit there about forty families of the
reformed churches of the Low Countries, flying thence for religion’s
sake, in one ruinous town called Surds (Swords). And truly (Sir) it
would have done any man good to have seen how diligently they wrought,
how they re-edified the quite spoiled old castle of the same town and
repaired almost all the same, and how godly and cleanly they, their
wives and children lived. They made diaper and ticks for beds, and
other good stuff for man’s use, and excellent good leather of deer
skins, goat and sheep fells, as is made at Southwark.”
Upon the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland the castle ground
was purchased by the late Charles Cobbe, Esq., who leased it to the
late Henry Baker, Esq., whose successor still holds the land.
The ground enclosed by the walls is at present laid out as an orchard
and garden, and the castellated battlements, which were built to
protect the royal state of wealthy prelates, have now no sterner duty
than to shelter the delicate apple blossoms from the harsh spring
winds, and to catch the sun-rays for the ripening fruit.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.
Right Rev. W. Reeves, D.D., Pamphlet 011 “Antiquities of Swords.”
Rev. Canon Twigg, MS. Paper read to Antiquarian Society.
Grose, “Antiquities of Ireland.”
D’Alton, “History of County Dublin.”
D’Alton, “Archbishops of Dublin.”
Calendar of Carew MSS.
_TILLYRA CASTLE_
Not far from Ardrahan, in the County Galway, stands this castle, which
originally belonged to the Burkes or De Burgos. We read that Ulick, 3rd
Earl of Clanricarde, married a daughter of Burke of Tullyra, but it
seems to have passed to the Martyns during the sixteenth century. This
is generally supposed to have been through marriage. Hogan mentions the
Martins of Tillyra in 1598.
In one of the upper chambers is carved the date 1614, accompanied by
the initials “S. B.”
A somewhat modern doorway opening into the courtyard is surmounted by
a stone shield bearing the Martyn arms. They are said to have been
presented to the family by Richard I., who was accompanied by Oliver
Martyn when he went to the Holy Land.
Underneath the arms on the right side are the letters “R.M.,” and on
the left “C. M.”
In 1702 Oliver Martin of Tulliry, Esq., was allowed to retain his lands
after the rebellion, because he had assisted so many Protestants during
the insurrection. This was an almost unique concession at the time.
The present owner, Mr. Edward Martyn, of literary fame, has recently
erected a beautiful modern mansion near the old fortress.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.
J. Fahey, “History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Kilmacduagh.”
J. Hardiman, “History of Galway.”
Hogan, “Description of Ireland, 1598.”
_TIMON CASTLE_
This fortress was one of the castles of the Pale, and is situated in
the County of Dublin on the right-hand side of the road which leads
from Balrothery to Greenhills.
The name Timon or Timothan is derived from _Teach-Munna_, signifying
“the house of St. Munna.”
The stronghold is built upon an esker and is therefore conspicuous for
a considerable distance round.
There seems to be no trace of outworks, which were probably unnecessary
owing to the castle having formerly been surrounded by marshes. In
recent years the land has been drained and the water carried off by a
small stream which crosses the road near the castle and is a tributary
of the Poddle.
The building consists of a square keep with a projecting stair tower
adjoining the south-west angle, which is now covered with ivy. The main
structure was formerly divided into two floors by an arched roof over
the lower room. The battlement slightly projects. The east wall has
been destroyed, while about two-thirds of the north wall and some of
the south have gone. The western side is still perfect.
There is a narrow window splayed outwards on the ground floor, while
several “slit” windows and larger openings are noticeable at different
heights. There are a few recesses in the walls.
A flue projection resting on two corbels is to be seen near the summit,
and also a walk inside the battlements at the top of the tower.
The entrance was in the west wall, and a small machicolation for
pouring lead or water on an enemy was situated over the arched doorway.
There were holes at each side of the entrance for securing it with
wooden bars.
A great rent now runs from base to summit of the ruin.
A view of the castle as it was in 1770 is published in Handcock’s
“History of Tallaght.”
The fortress is supposed to have been erected in the reign of King
John, who granted the manor to Henry de Loundres for his expenses
incurred in fortifying Dublin Castle. This grant was confirmed in 1231.
Timon was constituted a prebend of St. Patrick’s in 1247, and it is so
still, but without endowment, though in 1306 it was valued at £10 a
year.
In an inquisition in 1547 it is described as a “ruinous fortress,”
and three years later being a suppressed prebend it was granted to
Bartholomew Cusack for twenty-one years. Two or three years later the
lands were granted to James Sedgrove, after which they were purchased
by Sir Charles Wilmot, from whom they passed to the Loftus family.
Dudley Loftus was in possession of the castle when he died in 1616, and
in 1618 the property was confirmed to Sir Adam Loftus.
William Conolly purchased the estate, which still remains in his family.
Some peasantry inhabited the castle towards the close of the eighteenth
century.
There was once a village of Timon, of which no trace now remains.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.
D’Alton, “History of County Dublin.”
Handcock, “History of Tallaght.”
Joyce, “Rambles Around Dublin,” in _Evening Telegraph_ Reprints.
Dix, “Lesser Castles of the County Dublin,” in _Irish Builder_.
Joyce, “Irish Names of Places.”
_TRALEE CASTLE_
The town of Tralee, formerly Traleigh, meaning the “strand of the River
Leigh,” is situated in the Barony of Trughenackmy, in the County Kerry.
It is nearly two miles east-north-east of Tralee Harbour, and the Lee
Rivulet, from which it takes its name, formerly filled the moat of
the great castle. Sir Thomas Denny made it run along the Mall in the
eighteenth century, and it is now covered over.
The town had originally four castles, only two of which were standing
during the famous siege of 1641. Short Castle had disappeared in 1756,
while the great castle was demolished in 1826 by consent of its owner,
Sir Edward Denny, for the improvement of the town. Its former site, and
that of the bowling green attached, is now occupied by the handsome
thoroughfare known as Denny Street. The entrance to the castle demesne
or “green,” is at the top of this street, and the public have always
had access to it.
The great mahogany doors from the castle may still be seen, cut down to
fit ordinary doorways, in the houses in Denny Street belonging to Sir
John Neligan and Mr. Francis M’G. Denny. Mr. Denny also possesses some
parts of a grey stone mantelpiece carved in high relief with the Denny
arms, crest, and motto, which also came from the old fortress.
This last castle was a restoration of the chief seat of the Desmond
FitzGeralds for close on four hundred years.
There are several versions of the legend which accounts for the crest
and supporters of the Geraldines being represented by monkeys. One of
these is that in 1261, after the battle of Callen, where MacCarthy
Reigh slew the chief heads of the Munster FitzGeralds, only a little
baby of eight months old, at nurse in Tralee, was left to represent
the great family. Upon hearing the news of the disaster the child’s
attendants rushed into the streets, when to their horror they presently
beheld their charge exhibited on the battlements of the castle in the
arms of a pet ape. The animal, however, returned the baby unharmed to
his cradle, and afterwards this Desmond was known as “Thomas a Nappagh”
or “of the ape.” Some authorities mention the abbey as the scene of the
child’s escape.
Sir Henry Sidney, in his report on Munster, declared that there
would be “neither peace nor order in the South, until the palatine
jurisdiction of both Ormond and Desmond (East and South Munster) were
reduced.”
Therefore, in 1576 Sir William Drury, Lord President of Munster,
declared his intention of giving the Queen’s writ currency in the
palatinate.
At the Council the Earl of Desmond tried to dissuade him, but being
unsuccessful he offered him hospitality during his visit.
Upon approaching Tralee the Lord President was met by seven or eight
hundred armed men who emerged from the cover of the wood, and rushed
towards him shouting and brandishing their weapons. Sir William, not
knowing whether the display was friendly or otherwise, determined to be
on the safe side, and gathering his body guard of a hundred and twenty
men round him, he charged the on-coming troop, who did not wait for an
attack, but withdrew as hastily as they had advanced.
The President rode on to the castle, where he demanded admittance and
explanation, both of which were given to him by the Countess, who
received him at the entrance, and assured him (or endeavoured to do so)
that he had but received an Irish welcome, and that her husband had
meant no harm, but awaited him in the fortress to go hunting.
In 1579 Sir William Drury, then Lord Deputy, sent Henry Danvers to the
Desmonds to enlist their aid in repelling a threatened invasion of some
foreign mercenaries. This he failed to do, and upon his return journey
he slept a night in Tralee Castle, having formerly been a great friend
of Sir John of Desmond, the Earl’s brother. This friendship is said to
have weakened Sir John’s influence among his countrymen, and that in
consequence he determined to show it had ceased to exist. Be that as
it may, he demanded admittance to the castle during the night, and he
and his followers murdered Sir Henry Danvers, the Justices Meade and
Charters, and their servants, while they slept. It is said that Danvers
awoke and seeing Sir John said, “My son, what is the matter?” But his
murderer answered, “No more of son, no more of father, make thyself
ready, for die thou shalt.”
Tradition always pointed out a room in the castle as the scene of the
murder, which had a small room off it in the thickness of the walls,
from which access was obtained to a narrow stairway and postern. This
was commonly called the “murdering hole,” and regarded with great
superstition.
A despatch to Cecil in 1580 states “all the houses in Trally burnte and
the castles raised.”
The Earl of Desmond’s estate was forfeited in 1583.
“Traylye” was granted to Sir Edward Denny in 1587, and delivered to him
by Mr. Thomas Norreys.
The castle was at this time in a ruined condition, and when the family
came to Ireland they resided at Carrignafeely Manor until the close of
James I.’s reign.
The “Sugan” Earl of Desmond seized the fortress in 1599 and employed a
hundred and fifty men to undermine it. Sir Charles Wilmot surprised the
rebels with fifty horse. He killed thirty-two, and seized the arms of
about a hundred more while the rest escaped to the mountains.
In 1627 Edward Denny, grandson to the first grantee, began to rebuild
the stronghold.
Upon the breaking out of the rebellion in 1641 Sir Edward Denny
collected his English tenants and the loyal Irish, and they fortified
themselves in the two castles. Lady Denny and her children went to
England, while Sir Edward joined the President. His step-father, Sir
Thomas Harris, took command of the Tralee garrisons, but it was not
until early in the following year that the Irish laid siege to the
town, under the command of Florence Carty with six hundred men.
The guns of Short Castle opened fire, but nevertheless the Irish raided
the town. They stripped or murdered all the inhabitants they captured,
and hundreds fled to the two strongholds for protection.
Upon the 10th of February a spy named Laurence gained admittance to
the larger castle, on the plea of seeing the Governor, who was asleep.
He carried a pass from the rebel poet, Pierce Ferriter, who commanded
the Irish forces in the district. His movements at length awakening
suspicion he was taken prisoner.
Shortly after this the Irish took possession of the town during the
night. The guns of both castles played with little effect, and some of
the inhabitants were drawn up into Short Castle by ropes. The Provost,
who had left the town to see to some outlying property, was prevented
returning, and Sir Thomas Harris had command of both castles, a line
from the top of each conveying letters from one fortress to the other.
About four hundred persons fled to the strongholds, so that the
provisions intended to last two years gave out in seven months. Water
failed, and although thirteen wells were sunk twenty feet each, only
thick black water could be procured.
Captain Ferriter and a townsman of Tralee demanded a parley with Sir
Thomas and asked him to surrender, but he refused.
They then hauled “sow” engines against the strongholds. The one sent
against the great castle was smashed by a small cannon ball, and a
cooper in Short Castle dislodged a pinnacle of the building on the top
of the other, which they afterwards burnt. The Irish lost about twenty
men and their engines in the attack.
An effort was made to relieve the town by sea, but the small force sent
for the purpose was entirely routed.
When the siege had lasted about six months Sir Thomas Harris fell ill
and died through bad water and anxiety.
Immediately after the provisions giving out the garrisons capitulated,
the terms being their lives and a suit of clothes each. Most of them
joined Colonel Crosbie in Ballingarry fortress on an island in the
Shannon.
Of the six hundred within the castles of Tralee three hundred died
during the siege. They were reduced to eating bran, tallow, and raw
hides.
The castles were burnt upon being surrendered.
The great castle was shortly afterwards restored, but in 1691 it was
again burned, by Sir James Colter’s orders, and when the Royalists
were defeated at Lixnaw the two Irish officers who carried out the
order would have been hanged but for the intervention of Colonel Edward
Denny. The famous “Denny Bible” in which this conflagration is recorded
belongs to Tralee church, to which it was presented by the Denny family.
In 1698 the House of Commons decided to help in the rebuilding of the
castle.
This fortress was of an L shape, but Sir Edward Denny, 3rd baronet,
who succeeded to the title in 1795, added another wing in 1804, which
contained several fine saloons, a large hall with a handsome circular
staircase and other apartments. Soon after 1820 Sir Edward went to live
in England.
A black coach, with headless horses and coachman, was formerly said to
drive through Tralee upon the death of one of the Denny family, and if
any one looked out at it, a basin of blood was thrown in his face. Of
later years a banshee is said to have taken its place.
AUTHORITIES CONSULTED.
C. Smith, “State of the County Kerry.”
M. A. Hickson, “Old Kerry Records.”
“The Antiquities of Tralee,” in _Kerry Magazine_.
J. J. Howard, “Miscellanea Genealogica.”
M. Hickson, “Ireland in the Seventeenth Century.”
Gilbert, “The Castle of Dublin,” in _Dublin University Magazine_.
Marquis of Kildare, “Earls of Kildare.”
Carew MSS.
Parliamentary Gazetteer.
_TRIM CASTLE_
“What! rate--rebuke--and roughly send to prison
The immediate heir of England! Was this easy?
May this be washed in Lethe--and forgotten?”
SHAKESPEARE.
The ancient name of Trim was Ath Truim, signifying “the ford of the
boortrees” or elders, the latter half of which appellation alone
remains. It is situated on the Boyne, twenty-two and a half miles
north-west by west of Dublin on the Enniskillen road.
The castle lies east of the town, on the right bank of the river, and
has been said to be the only castle in Ireland deserving the name. It
is certainly the finest specimen of the Anglo-Norman fortress, and
was one of the chief strongholds of the Pale. It occupies a sloping
mound and its walls enclose a triangular area of about three acres,
which measures 486 yards in circumference, and was protected by eight
circular flanking towers at nearly equal distances and two gate towers.
The north-east side was formerly washed by the Boyne, but now a low
meadow intervenes.
On the west or town side a gate-tower occupies the centre. The grooves
for the portcullis are still perfect, and from abutting masonry it
would appear that there had once been a drawbridge and barbican. The
lower portion of the tower is rectangular and the upper part octagonal.
In the southern side is a circular gate tower of Gothic shape. Here
also are the portcullis grooves visible and a recess for the windlass,
as well as the remains of arches over the moat, and a barbican beyond.
A moat or ditch surrounded the fortress, on the two sides not washed by
the Boyne, which was supplied with water by a small stream.
Where the town wall joined the castle at the south-west angle a mound
of earth has been artificially raised to the height of the castle wall.
This was probably done for the mounting of cannon when the castle was
re-fortified in 1647.
One of the towers near this mound was cleared in 1836. It is of three
storeys, and the upper part was found to be a pigeon-house, having
holes for 60 or 80 pair, while the lower storey contained a postern
leading to the level of the moat water. In 1425 it is recorded that the
King granted the custody of the dove-cot to Thomas Brown, with pasture
called the Castle Orchard.
The north angle of the bawn contains the ruins of several buildings,
one being of three storeys with a high gable, and four large windows in
the wall towards the river. The piers for the arched roof are still to
be seen, and it is likely to have been the banqueting hall or chapel.
A large vault extends under part of it. In one of the towers near this
the mint is supposed to have been situated. Another tower contains the
remains of a small chapel.
The keep consists of a rectangular figure, on each side of which a
small square tower abuts, thus forming a twenty-sided figure from which
missiles could be showered in all directions. The walls of the centre
tower are twelve feet thick, while those of the adjoining ones measure
from four to six feet. Winding stairways lead to the summit, at some
60 feet from the ground, while on each angle of the centre tower is a
square turret nearly 17 feet in height.
After Hugh de Lacy had been granted Meath in 1173 he erected the
castle of Trim to guard his possessions. He surrounded it with a
moat, and furnished it with stores. He then entrusted its custody to
Hugh Tyrrell and proceeded to England. No sooner had he left than
Roderick O’Connor, King of Connaught, descended on Trim with a large
army. Tyrrell sent messages to Strongbow for aid, but in the meantime,
finding himself unable to hold the fortress, he evacuated and burnt it.
[Illustration: TRIM CASTLE.]