Kilbolane Castle
Encyclopedia
Kilbolane Castle is a historical fortification atop Kilbolane Hill, half a kilometre from the village of Milford, County Cork
, Ireland
. The castle was built in the 15th or 16th century but employed a 13th century Norman style
with high walls joined by circular guard towers and surrounded by a moat
, similar to Liscarroll
and Ballincollig
.
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. Kilbolane Castle was built shortly after the arrival of Strongbow
and the Anglo-Norman
s, likely as the stronghold of the De Cogans. It was later acquired by the Earls of Desmond 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 Hannigan. The south tower and west wall remain intact, with maintenance provided by the Board of Works. The view from the southwest provides a glimpse of historical magnificence of the castle, with its high walls and menacing tower.
Milford, County Cork
Milford is a small village in County Cork, Ireland. It is in the townland of Kilbolane on regional road R515, close to the border with County Limerick....
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The castle was built in the 15th or 16th century but employed a 13th century Norman style
Norman architecture
About|Romanesque architecture, primarily English|other buildings in Normandy|Architecture of Normandy.File:Durham Cathedral. Nave by James Valentine c.1890.jpg|thumb|200px|The nave of Durham Cathedral demonstrates the characteristic round arched style, though use of shallow pointed arches above the...
with high walls joined by circular guard towers and surrounded by a moat
Moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch, either dry or filled with water, that surrounds a castle, other building or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. In some places moats evolved into more extensive water defences, including natural or artificial lakes, dams and sluices...
, similar to Liscarroll
Liscarroll Castle
Liscarroll Castle is a 13th century Hiberno-Norman fortress in County Cork, Ireland.In July 1642, at the start of the Irish Confederate Wars, the castle was seized by Irish Confederate forces commanded by Garret Barry...
and Ballincollig
Ballincollig Castle
Ballincollig Castle is a Norman castle to the south of the town of Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland built after the Norman invasion of Ireland. In its prime, the castle was inhabited by the Barretts, who had control of the local area. The castle still stands today, albeit heavily damaged...
.
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. Kilbolane Castle was built shortly after the arrival of Strongbow
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke , Lord of Leinster, Justiciar of Ireland . Like his father, he was also commonly known as Strongbow...
and the Anglo-Norman
Anglo-Norman
The Anglo-Normans were mainly the descendants of the Normans who ruled England following the Norman conquest by William the Conqueror in 1066. A small number of Normans were already settled in England prior to the conquest...
s, likely as the stronghold of the De Cogans. It was later acquired by the Earls of Desmond 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
Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
The Cromwellian conquest of Ireland refers to the conquest of Ireland by the forces of the English Parliament, led by Oliver Cromwell during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Cromwell landed in Ireland with his New Model Army on behalf of England's Rump Parliament in 1649...
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 Hannigan. The south tower and west wall remain intact, with maintenance provided by the Board of Works. The view from the southwest provides a glimpse of historical magnificence of the castle, with its high walls and menacing tower.