Askeaton
Encyclopedia
Askeaton is a town in County Limerick
, Ireland
. Located on the N69
, the town is built on the banks of the River Deel
some 3 km upstream from the estuary of the River Shannon
. There is also a secondary school in Askeaton. The school celebrates its 70th year in the 2010/2011 term.
Among the many historic structures in the town are a Franciscan friary
dating from 1389 and a castle dating from 1199. The castle was abandoned to crown forces in 1580 - its walls blown up by the fleeing Alien defenders - after the fall of Carrigafoyle Castle
to the English during the Desmond Rebellions
.
The focal point of Askeaton is the Desmond Castle, which Stands in the center of the town on a rocky island on the river Deel. This noble building has been protecting Askeaton since 1199, when William de Burgo Founded it. In 1329 Maurice Fitzgerald became the first Earl of Desmond and held amongst his possessions the manor of “Liskifti”. 40 Shillings was paid by the Earl for the barony of Askeaton. It became the dwelling place of the kings of Munster. The Earls of Desmond were to become the last kings of Ireland
The fifteenth earl, Gerald had a powerful stronghold at Askeaton in 1559 and this was a worry to the crown of England who saw him as a threat. They tried to impose a policy of surrender on the Irish lords who rebelled and fought a savage war in Munster. Gerald became known as The Rebel Earl. He was popular among his followers. He was eventually betrayed by his foster brothers and killed by them in what was a horrible atrocity.
The Desmond rebellion lasted until sir Nicholas Malby attacked the castle in 1579. He was unable to take the Castle as its defenses were too strong. It was eventually occupied by lieutenant Patrick Purcell of the confederate Catholics, but as Askeaton was a major threat while it was under Catholic rule it was eventually destroyed by Captain Daniel Axtell under Cromwellian forces in 1652. Patrick Purcell was hanged by these forces.
The Earliest reference to the castle was in the “Leabhar nanCeart” (the book of rights compiled in the 15th century) where the fort of Gephtine is mentioned as being reserved to the King of Cashel.
It was in 1199 that we learn that the castle and its rights given to Hamo de Valoignes, who was the Justiciary of Ireland between 1197 to 1199.
In the Annals of Inisfallen, William de Burgo was granted the castle and estates by the king of Thomand, Donal Mor.
It passed through various hands until in 1348 the 1st Earl of Despond, Maurice Fitzgerald paid 40 shillings for the barony of Lystifti. The building that stands today dates from that time. It has had several additions to it with the seventh Earl Gerald Fitzgerald (14th century) being attributed with some of the works.
The Earls held possession of the Castle for over 200 years. Using it as the center of their kingdom, they ruled Munster until in October 1579 Sir Nicholas Malby ravaged the town and massacred the townsfolk and the monks of the Franciscan friary, but he failed to take the castle from Gerald the 14th Earl. The following year Justice Pelham took reinforcements and took possession on the 5th of April, and that signaled the end of the Fitzgerald's reign over Askeaton and Munster.
The castle was transferred to the ownership of the English crown under Edward Berkley.
These clubs were notorious in nature because the 'gentlemen' members indulged in gambling and heavy drinking, womanising and even satanic activities. There was one woman member, a Celinda Blennerhasset. The most popular drink of the members was 'Scathleed' this was a mixture of Irish Whiskey and butter made of fresh cream. It was probably the forerunner of the famous Irish Cream that is so popular today.
On October 9, 1579, after failing to take Askeaton Castle, Sir Nicholas Malby attacked the Abbey where he killed a number of monks in a gruesome fashion. He also wrecked the ancestral tombs of the Desmonds, in what was a mean spirited attack on innocent men for the sole reason of having some revenge on the Earl in his impenetrable fortress.
It is constructed of limestone native to the Area, and has beautiful stained glass windows. The window to the right depicts the resurrection of Christ, while that on the left shows his ascension into heaven.
Madigan, Fitzgerald, Collins, Sheehy, Ruttle, Sheahan, McMahon, Moran, Ryan, Hayes, McCarthy, Mulcair, Kelly, Lynch, O’Brien, Finn, McDonnell, O’Donnell, O’Shea, Shaughnessy, Casey, O’Connor, O’Shaughnessy, Shanahan, Sullivan, Kennedy, Walsh.
was built by the former Limerick and Foynes Railway Company from 1856 to 1858, with the station opening on 12 May 1857. The line between Limerick
and Foynes
had stations at Patrickswell, Kilgobbin, Adare, Ballingrane Junction (Rathkeale) and Askeaton. The railway line to Foynes
passes north of the town, but Askeaton Railway Station was closed to passenger traffic on 4 February 1963 and freight on 2 December 1974, when the station closed. Trains for Foynes continued to pass through Askeaton until the line effectively lost all its freight services in 2000. The line is still officially open to freight traffic, it has not seen a train since the annual weedspray train visited the line in May 2002.
In an interview on Limerick's Live 95 fm on April 18, 2011, Kay McGuinness Chairperson of Shannon Foynes Port Company said that they are confident that the rail link could be reopened for €7 million, which was considerably less than initially quoted price of €30 million by Irish Rail following the involvement of consultants and it was now a do-able project.
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Located on the N69
N69 road (Ireland)
The N69 road is a national secondary road in Ireland. It runs from Limerick to Tralee and passes though Mungret, Clarina, Kildimo, Askeaton , Foynes, Loughill, Glin, Tarbert and Listowel.-References:* – Department of Transport...
, the town is built on the banks of the River Deel
River Deel
The River Deel is in County Limerick, Ireland.The river rises near Dromina in North County Cork and flows north into County Limerick for over 60 km to enter the Shannon Estuary at Askeaton....
some 3 km upstream from the estuary of the River Shannon
River Shannon
The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland at . It divides the west of Ireland from the east and south . County Clare, being west of the Shannon but part of the province of Munster, is the major exception...
. There is also a secondary school in Askeaton. The school celebrates its 70th year in the 2010/2011 term.
Among the many historic structures in the town are a Franciscan friary
Franciscan friary
Franciscan monastery or Franciscan friary may refer to a great number of locations, including:* Franciscan Friary, Baja, in Baja, Hungary* Franciscan Monastery in Kadaň, in Kadaň, Czech Republic* Mount St...
dating from 1389 and a castle dating from 1199. The castle was abandoned to crown forces in 1580 - its walls blown up by the fleeing Alien defenders - after the fall of Carrigafoyle Castle
Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle
The Siege of Carrigafoyle Castle took place at Easter in 1580 near modern-day Ballylongford, County Kerry, Ireland on the southern shores of the River Shannon. The engagement was part of the English crown's campaign against the forces of Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond during the Second...
to the English during the Desmond Rebellions
Desmond Rebellions
The Desmond Rebellions occurred in 1569-1573 and 1579-1583 in the Irish province of Munster.They were rebellions by the Earl of Desmond – head of the FitzGerald dynasty in Munster – and his followers, the Geraldines and their allies against the threat of the extension of Elizabethan English...
.
The Desmond Castle
(Taken from a lecture by Anita Guinane, (Askeaton Civic Trust)The focal point of Askeaton is the Desmond Castle, which Stands in the center of the town on a rocky island on the river Deel. This noble building has been protecting Askeaton since 1199, when William de Burgo Founded it. In 1329 Maurice Fitzgerald became the first Earl of Desmond and held amongst his possessions the manor of “Liskifti”. 40 Shillings was paid by the Earl for the barony of Askeaton. It became the dwelling place of the kings of Munster. The Earls of Desmond were to become the last kings of Ireland
The fifteenth earl, Gerald had a powerful stronghold at Askeaton in 1559 and this was a worry to the crown of England who saw him as a threat. They tried to impose a policy of surrender on the Irish lords who rebelled and fought a savage war in Munster. Gerald became known as The Rebel Earl. He was popular among his followers. He was eventually betrayed by his foster brothers and killed by them in what was a horrible atrocity.
The Desmond rebellion lasted until sir Nicholas Malby attacked the castle in 1579. He was unable to take the Castle as its defenses were too strong. It was eventually occupied by lieutenant Patrick Purcell of the confederate Catholics, but as Askeaton was a major threat while it was under Catholic rule it was eventually destroyed by Captain Daniel Axtell under Cromwellian forces in 1652. Patrick Purcell was hanged by these forces.
The Earliest reference to the castle was in the “Leabhar nanCeart” (the book of rights compiled in the 15th century) where the fort of Gephtine is mentioned as being reserved to the King of Cashel.
It was in 1199 that we learn that the castle and its rights given to Hamo de Valoignes, who was the Justiciary of Ireland between 1197 to 1199.
In the Annals of Inisfallen, William de Burgo was granted the castle and estates by the king of Thomand, Donal Mor.
It passed through various hands until in 1348 the 1st Earl of Despond, Maurice Fitzgerald paid 40 shillings for the barony of Lystifti. The building that stands today dates from that time. It has had several additions to it with the seventh Earl Gerald Fitzgerald (14th century) being attributed with some of the works.
The Earls held possession of the Castle for over 200 years. Using it as the center of their kingdom, they ruled Munster until in October 1579 Sir Nicholas Malby ravaged the town and massacred the townsfolk and the monks of the Franciscan friary, but he failed to take the castle from Gerald the 14th Earl. The following year Justice Pelham took reinforcements and took possession on the 5th of April, and that signaled the end of the Fitzgerald's reign over Askeaton and Munster.
The castle was transferred to the ownership of the English crown under Edward Berkley.
The Banqueting Hall
The Banqueting Hall, or 'Halla Mor' (the Great Hall) as it was known. It is one of the finest examples to be seen in Ireland. In the grounds of the castle it was used as a place of great feasting. It was where the earls would 'court' their allies and welcome their visitors. Hospitality was a huge part of the Irish way of life. How you treated your guests was a direct reflection on your honour. It was built by James, the 7th Earl of Desmond, in about 1440-1459. underneath the hall is a chamber which dates from the twelve hundreds and was used as wine cellars and kitchens. The building is 72 feet long by 30 feet wide. On the south wall there are three blind archades and the carved windows are of exceptional architectural design. They were probably built by the same craftsmen that built the Franciscan friary as they are of the same design.The Hell fire Club
To the east of the castle stand the remains of the Hell fire Club. A red brick building built in 1740. It was a gentleman's club. As its name suggests it was no ordinary club. There were several such clubs in England but there were only two in Ireland. These were accredited to Colonel St. Leger. The one in Dublin is razed to the ground. The other here in Askeaton is nearly complete.These clubs were notorious in nature because the 'gentlemen' members indulged in gambling and heavy drinking, womanising and even satanic activities. There was one woman member, a Celinda Blennerhasset. The most popular drink of the members was 'Scathleed' this was a mixture of Irish Whiskey and butter made of fresh cream. It was probably the forerunner of the famous Irish Cream that is so popular today.
Community hall
In the late 1940s, early 1950s, the Muintir Na Tira guild began the huge task of building a community hall for the parish. Built in a time of economic depression, it was constructed with voluntary labour of local people. It became a vital focal point in the social life of the town, with dances and concerts, and the inevitable bingo being held there. Replacing the library (which was too small) as a dance hall, it became in essence the “Ballroom of Romance” It was used as a national school while the new building was being built in 1962/63 and also as a church when masses were held there during the refurbishments of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in 1977.The Franciscan Friary
The 4th Earl of Desmond founded the friary in about 1389 by the fourth Earl of Desmond, Gerald. Gerald was known as the poet Earl 'Gearoid Iaria'. It is one of the most beautiful complete ruins in the country. It includes complete cloisters, the east window, medieval carvings, and a chapter room that is now the final resting place of the two martyrs Bishop Patrick O'Healy and Fr Conn O'Rourke.On October 9, 1579, after failing to take Askeaton Castle, Sir Nicholas Malby attacked the Abbey where he killed a number of monks in a gruesome fashion. He also wrecked the ancestral tombs of the Desmonds, in what was a mean spirited attack on innocent men for the sole reason of having some revenge on the Earl in his impenetrable fortress.
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
The present church was built in 1851, when the previous building down by the Franciscan friary was totally destroyed by fire in 1847. The fire originated in a nearby mill and killed an employee and severely burned several others. The local Parish Priest, Fr Edward Cussen, put his own life at risk by rescuing several men from the blaze. This happened during the heights of the Potato Famine, and there were very little funds for a new building. Fr James Enright was sent to America to raise funds for the new church. He was successful and to construct a building in such adverse times was an achievement of enormous proportions.It is constructed of limestone native to the Area, and has beautiful stained glass windows. The window to the right depicts the resurrection of Christ, while that on the left shows his ascension into heaven.
Common surnames in Askeaton
According to Irish Census 1901 & 1911.Madigan, Fitzgerald, Collins, Sheehy, Ruttle, Sheahan, McMahon, Moran, Ryan, Hayes, McCarthy, Mulcair, Kelly, Lynch, O’Brien, Finn, McDonnell, O’Donnell, O’Shea, Shaughnessy, Casey, O’Connor, O’Shaughnessy, Shanahan, Sullivan, Kennedy, Walsh.
Transport
The railway line that passes through the now closed Askeaton railway stationAskeaton railway station
-History:The station was opened by the Waterford and Limerick and Limerick and Foynes railways, then absorbed into the Great Southern and Western Railway. In 1924 the Railways Act passed by the Oireachtas of the Irish Free State moved the station to the Great Southern Railway. In 1925 another...
was built by the former Limerick and Foynes Railway Company from 1856 to 1858, with the station opening on 12 May 1857. The line between Limerick
Limerick
Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic of Ireland, and the principal city of County Limerick and Ireland's Mid-West Region. It is the fifth most populous city in all of Ireland. When taking the extra-municipal suburbs into account, Limerick is the third largest conurbation in the...
and Foynes
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
had stations at Patrickswell, Kilgobbin, Adare, Ballingrane Junction (Rathkeale) and Askeaton. The railway line to Foynes
Foynes
Foynes is a village and major port in County Limerick in the midwest of Ireland, located at the edge of hilly land on the southern bank of the Shannon Estuary. The population of the town was 606 as of the 2006 census.-Foynes's role in aviation:...
passes north of the town, but Askeaton Railway Station was closed to passenger traffic on 4 February 1963 and freight on 2 December 1974, when the station closed. Trains for Foynes continued to pass through Askeaton until the line effectively lost all its freight services in 2000. The line is still officially open to freight traffic, it has not seen a train since the annual weedspray train visited the line in May 2002.
In an interview on Limerick's Live 95 fm on April 18, 2011, Kay McGuinness Chairperson of Shannon Foynes Port Company said that they are confident that the rail link could be reopened for €7 million, which was considerably less than initially quoted price of €30 million by Irish Rail following the involvement of consultants and it was now a do-able project.
See also
- List of towns and villages in Ireland