Westropp — Ancient Castles of the Count ij of Limerick. 183 



Fahric.—T\iQ ''Desmonds," or Elack Castle," or East Court," 

 noTT levelled. Fitz Gerald calls it the noble ruins of a castle on the 

 river, erected by the Earls of Desmond (vol. i., p. 307). 



216. The "White Castle, or Kxockaxey C. — It had three stories, 

 the lowest vaulted, 22 feet by 13i- feet inside, 40 feet high, with walls 

 7 feet thick. 300 yards to the east was the '' Court" of the Earls 

 lying to the south of the river. Tradition says it was built by the 

 Earl's steward, Matthew 0' Grady, while Desmond was abroad. (See 

 Rev. J. Dowd, "Round about County Limerick," p. 88; O.S.L., 9, 

 p. 269 ; and EitzGerald, vol. i., p. 307.) 



217. Baggotstowx, West (40). Marked. The Baggot family was 

 established in Limerick before 1290. In 1587 the head-rent of 

 Edm. Boggott, of Boggotstown, was granted to Sir E. Eyton 

 (Fi. 5032). 1609 The C, mill, and weir granted to Baggot and 

 Don. O'Grady (Pat. R., Inq. Chan., 3a). 1642 J. Baggot, of Baggots- 

 town, was a member of the Kilkenny Parliament. 1651 Maur. Baggot 

 exempted from terms in the surrender of Limerick to Ireton, which 

 was signed by his father. 1653 C. held by Cap. "W. Hartwell (Acct. 

 Book). 1655 Ballinvogodock, orBaggotstown C, " Ballingoody ould 

 C. andould bawn," held by T. Browne and Derby Grady (C.S., xxxi., 

 p. 24; and D.S.A., 33). 1690-1 Cap. Hugh Massy garrisoned it 

 between the sieges of Limerick to protect it from the Irish (History 

 of Massy Family, Ed. 1890, pp. 238-9). 1703 Baggotstowne, estate 

 of late J. Bagot,^ as granted to H. Lord Sidney, sold to B. Burton. 



Fabric. — The east and south walls of the main wing are perfect. 

 It is 33 feet by 23 feet inside, with three stories, the lowest vaulted. 

 At the north-east corner is a tower 14^ feet by 13^ feet, with arched 

 spiral- stairs, having five stories, the lowest also vaulted. The walls are 

 6 feet 8 inches thick, and the mullions, frames, and hoods of well-cut 

 stone. Two oak beams remained across the building in 1840. The 

 tall, clustered chimneys are of pleasing design ; a stone fell from one 

 of them with the date "1019," evidently 1619. There are bartizans 

 to the outer angles of the wing and turret (O.S.L., 9, p. 271 ; with 

 Tiews, Len., p. 736). 



KiLFKUSH. 



218. KiLFRusH (40). :N^ot marked. 1287 J. de Carreu held a 

 knight's fee in Kilfroys in Aney Manor under T. de Clare (C. S.P.I. ). 



1 John Baggot, 1693, late of Baggotstown, in May, 1689, at Dublin, committed 

 and perpetrated treason against the King and Queen, and died at Limerick in 

 manifest rebellion (Inquis. Wm. III., vol. x^^ii.). 



