Westropp — Ancient Castles of the County of Limerick. 233 



had belonged to Sir W., and was the chief place of his Seignoiy of 

 Policastro. 1624 G. TJghtred Courtenay had a grant of fairs there 

 and at Kilmeedy, with a court of pie powder (Pat. R.). 1641, Dec. 

 The Confederates besieged it till Easter Monday, April 14th, 1642, 

 when it surrendered, and was burned (Deps. 252, 317, 327, 337, 

 347). 1655 "The ploughlands of Newcastle, with C, bawn, and 

 other houses, and worrckes, a weekly markett and an orchard, with a 

 river running by the C, held by Col. Fra. Courtenay (C.S., p. 3). 

 1691 The Irish held it and Gortnetubbrid to keep the passes to Kerry, 

 and from it burned Ballingarry and Bruree. 



Fahric. — A tower attributed to the thirteenth century, but with 

 later ornaments. The walls are 8 feet to 10 feet thick, the lower 

 story vaulted. It has been greatly modernised. There are in the 

 outworks a square and a round turret ; the ruins of a chapel lie 

 opposite, and some vaults and walls remain between it and the river ; 

 also the Desmonds' Hall or Banqueting Hall (see Rev. Jas. Dowd, 

 ''County Limerick," p. 212). 



Gbange. 



361. Geange (36). JSTot marked. 1298 Nova Grangia, in New- 

 castle Manor, held by the heirs of T. de Clare under T. f. Maur. 

 (C.S.P.I.). 1452 The Earls of Desmond held it (Rental). 1583 

 A ruinous C, called Granshagh, in Toughe Ogallyhowre (Des. R., 27). 

 Morrogh mac Bryan of Granagh, alias Mac Tirrelagh, held the fee, 

 C, &c., of Granogh, in Castelnoa {Ih., p. 75b). 1587-93 Sir H. 

 Ughtred got Graunshaugh C, late of Earl of Desmond (Fi. 5782; and 

 Carew MS.). 1642, April, Capt. J. Southwell, of Rathkeale, with 

 40 horse and 100 foot, chased the Confederates from Newcastle, 

 which they had burned, to Grange (Dep. 337). 1655 Grangie, given 

 withGranshj Ightaragh, held by Courtnay (C.S., pp. 8, 9). 



362 Ballypieece (36). Not marked. A doubtful site. 1569 

 "Penston" C. (perhaps Pierston or Ballypierce), in Coimello, sur- 

 rendered (C.S.P.I.). 1593 Gibon Roe mac Shane oge, of Kyllmore, 

 held the vill. and fee of Ballipierse. He rebelled with Desmond, and 

 it is pledged to Rorie mac Shee(hy). In later years, J. Sii])i)el, of 

 Kilmocaa, held Ballypearc (Inq. Exch., 44, 54). 



363. Balltfealey (36). Not marked. The Ui Fain hcalla, 

 Farrelly, or Frawley, family was widespread in Limerick, and 

 gave its name to Ballyarella or Blount levers in Co. Clare. 1583 

 Donygalyn or Ballyfarewell, in Newcastle Manor, J. Omakissc (Des. 

 R., 13b). 1593 Ballynwryly, in Ballincastelane, granted to Ughtred 



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