Crevenish Castle
| Crevenish Castle | |
|
Fermanagh | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | H165626 |
| Location: | 54°30’42"N, 7°44’43"W |
| Village: | Kesh |
| History | |
| Built c. 1618 | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruins |
Crevenish Castle is a ruined castle and bawn in Fermanagh, by Lower Lough Erne, two miles south-west of Kesh.[1] It is privately owned.[2]
History
The castle was built about 1618 by Sir Thomas Blennerhassett (died 1624), from Norfolk, whose brother built Castle Caldwell[1] and was originally known as Castlehassett or Castle Hassett. Before coming as a 'planter' to Fermanagh, Thomas Blennerhassett had a varied career including being Captain of Guernsey Castle. He was a literary man who wrote several books including Directions for the Plantation of Ulster.[3][4]
Sir Thomas was succeeded by his eldest son Sir Leonard Blennerhassett (died 1639).[5]
The castle moved to local Maguire hands when Sir Leonard's widow, Deborah, married Rory Maguire, leader of the Irish Rebellion of 1641 in Fermanagh, who died in 1648.[2] The castle subsequently returned to Blennerhassett hands, to Henry, son of Sir Leonard, who became Member of Parliament for Fermanagh in 1664, and High sheriff for the county.[5] However, by 1697 the house was being reported as ruinous.[2]
Features
In 1618/19 Captain Nicholas Pynnar reported the castle as being 'a house of stone and lime, slated, two and a half storeys high'. A church was also begun and a small village of six houses.[2] Two and a half storeys remain standing, with a square tower and loopholed windows.[1] It is built of limestone with, on the north side, an inset centre section with a tower-like projection on either.[6] The tombstones of the Blennerhassetts are in the grounds.[2]
Outside links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sanderson, Ernest (1976). Discover Northern Ireland. Belfast: Northern Ireland Tourist Board. p. 143. ISBN 0 9500222 7 6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 McCusker, Breege (1999). Fermanagh:Land of Lake and Legend.
- ↑ "From the Broads to the Lakelands: English Plantation in Fermanagh in the early 17th century". http://cunninghamsway.com/tag/lough-erne/. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ↑ "Thomas Blennerhassett". http://www.newulsterbiography.co.uk/index.php/home/viewPerson/2048. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The Blennerhassetts". http://www.chittick.com/history/erminda/blennerhassetts.html. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- ↑ "Crevenish Castle, Kesh". http://www.stonedatabase.com/buildings.cfm?bk=1800. Retrieved 19 April 2015.