Kilbolane Castle
| Kilbolane Castle | |
|
County Cork | |
|---|---|
 Kilbolane Castle | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | R42302101 |
| Location: | 52°20’17"N, 8°50’51"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruins |
Kilbolane Castle is a ruined castle standing atop Kilbolane Hill, just five hundred yards from the village of Milford in County Cork. The castle was built in the 15th or 16th century but employed a 13th-century Norman style.[1] with high walls joined by circular guard towers and surrounded by a moat, similar to Liscarroll and Ballincollig.[2]
The castle grounds were church property of the Bishop of Cloyne, from whom it was held, according to the Pipe Roll of Cloyne, in 1291. According to Father Vaughan, the Synans had an interest in the place before moving to the Doneraile area.[2]
Kilbolane Castle was built shortly after the arrival of Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke ('Strongbow') and the Anglo-Normans, likely as the stronghold of the De Cogans.[2] It was later acquired by the Earls of Desmond[1] and the Fitzgibbon branch of the Fitzgeralds.
In 1587, the castle was granted to Hugo Cuffe who was unable to exert real power in the area and in 1590, it reverted indirectly to the Fitzgibbons when it was granted to Sir William Power, husband of Helena Fitzgibbon.
The castle was destroyed by Cromwell's army in 1642, leaving only two of its towers intact. On removing the remains of the ancient church, the tomb of the Synan family, bearing the date 1446, was transferred to the new edifice.
The east tower was acquired by captain John Nicholls who built a single story house against the bawn wall and passed the property on to his eldest grandson, John Bowen. John Bowen began to build Kilbolane House at the end of the castle garden shortly after 1695. A new church was erected in 1832, chiefly at the expense of the Rev. J. Bruce with support of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
In 1897, the ruins of Kilbolane Castle, which had been vacant for some years, were purchased by David O'Leary Hannigan JP (who also purchased Mountshannon House in 1915). The south tower and west wall remain intact, with maintenance provided by the Board of Works. The view from the south-west provides a glimpse of historical magnificence of the castle, with its high walls and menacing tower.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Kilbolane Castle…". Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority. http://www.discoverireland.ie/DI/resultsengine/IndividualResultTCS.aspx?touristItemID=48790. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Healy, James (1988). The Castles of County Cork. Cork and Dublin: The Mercier Press Limited. ISBN 0-85342-876-X.