Glenquin Castle

National monument No. 268. Atop natural rocky platform, bounded to W by deep ravine of stream, to E and N by sharp fall in ground, and to N by public road; overlooked by higher ground to SW; extensive outlook to N and E. Five-storey rectangular tower (9.4m NW-SE; 12.9m NE-SW) built of uncoursed rubble stone with limestone detail (Donnelly 1994, vol. 2, 112-4, plan 33). Spiral stairs in E corner gives access to all floor levels. Rounded wicker-centred vault over main first and third floor chambers. Tower has been extensively repaired, firstly c. 1840 'by Mr Furlong of Newcastle, the Earl of Devon's Agent' (OSL vol. 1, 28; RIA Mss 14/D/18/6(iv)), and more recently by the State who now care for the tower. Renovations include insertion of window lights, door surrounds, stone flagging over vaults, battlements and white-washing of inside walls.

Tower entered through door, with pointed-arch, in NE wall. This gives access to vaulted lobby (2.5m NE-SW; 1.4m SE-NW) with murder hole in roof. Lobby gives access on SE side to base of spiral stairs, and straight through to ground-floor chamber (7.5m NE-SW; 5.4m SE-NW). Latter has five window embrasures: two in SE wall, and one each in the other three. All embrasures are tall square-set and segmental-arched on the inside, with smaller splayed and lintelled openings behind light; window embrasures of main first, second and third floor chambers are all similar to these. Near W end of SW wall short lintelled downward-sloping passage ends in circular outline; this probably had well at base. On outside elevations is a distinct base batter; lower quoins on each corner are replacements. Near N end of NE wall is opening for garderobe chutes.

At first-floor level, door with pointed arch gives access from spiral stairs to mural chamber (3.8m SE-NW; 1.1m NE-SW) in NE wall, which in turn gives access to main chamber to SW. Latter has single window embrasure in SW wall. Second floor main chamber also entered from stairs via mural chamber in NE wall. This floor lit by window in centre of SE, SW and NW walls. There is a segmental-arched fireplace near N end of NW wall. At third floor level stairs gives access separately to mural garderobe chamber in NE wall and to main chamber to SW. Latter lit by window in centre of SW and SE walls.

At top of spiral stairs pointed-arch door leads into main fourth-floor chamber. NE end of chamber roofed by wicker-centred groin vault. In centre of each wall is segmental-arched window embrasure with inserted/reconstructed double ogee-headed lights. Projecting into room, near N end of NE wall, is fireplace with segmental-arched opening. Framing NE wall is shallow bluntly-pointed arched recess. There are three further mural chambers in NE wall, one above the other, accessed by a spiral stairs rising in E corner from main fourth-floor chamber. Lower one is garderobe chamber covered by wicker-centred vault. Above this is another mural chamber; at this level a pointed-arched door gives access to SW wall walk. The flat-topped merlons on each wall are 19th century; SW wall walk is covered by lintelled passage. Top of stairs give access to topmost mural chamber in NE wall; this room is covered by plank-centred vault and appears to be entirely 19th-century in construction.

A date of 1462 has been put forward for the construction of Glenquin Castle (Lewis 1837, 135). According to local tradition this castle was built by a member of the O'Hallinan clan (Fitzgerald and McGregor 1826, 377; Westropp 1906-07, 237). Shortly after its construction the castle was captured by the O'Briens who maintained possession of the castle until it was taken by the Geraldines [FitzGeralds/earls of Desmond]. The castle was confiscated by the Crown after the Desmond Rebellions of 1569-73 and 1579-83 (Lewis 1837, 136).

Glenquin was also known as Killanohwne and in 1569 the castle was surrendered to the Crown (Cal. S.P. Ire., 421). In 1591 as part of the English plantation of Munster, the Crown granted the estate of Newcastle (LI036-067012-) which included 'Glanughwym' [Glenquin] to Sir William Courtenay (Earl of Devon) of Powderham, Devon (Nicholls 1994, 151; Lewis 1837, 136). In 1655 the Civil Survey Limerick recorded that the building was 'a ruinous Castle unrepaired' which in 1640 was in the possession of Colonel Francis Courtnay (Simington 1938, 263).