Isert Kelly Castle Explained

Isert Kelly Castle
Native Name:Caisleán Íseart Uí Cheallaigh
Native Language:ga
Other Name:Isserkelly Castle
Coordinates:53.158°N -8.719°W
Location:Castlepark, Kilchreest,
County Galway, Ireland
Built:15th century
Owner:State
Type:tower house
Height:21m (69feet)
Designation1:National Monument of Ireland
Designation1 Offname:Isert Kelly Castle
Designation1 Number:272

Isert Kelly Castle is a tower house and National Monument located in County Galway, Ireland.[1]

Location

Isert Kelly Castle is 5km (03miles) southwest of Kilchreest.[2]

History

The tower house was built some time in the 15th century.[3] It belonged to the MacHubert Burkes, who claim descent from Hubert, son of Richard Óg de Burgh, a Hiberno-Norman knight of the 13th century. It later passed to the MacRedmonds, another branch of the Burkes (de Burgo, de Búrca).[4] [5]

It was burned by the Ó Doṁnaill (O'Donnells) in 1596. A fireplace within is dated 1604.

After the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland Isert Kelly Castle passed to Dudley Persse. William Persse owned it in the 19th century.

Substantial excavation took place in 2014–16.[6]

Description

The tower house is well-preserved and stands 21m (69feet) tall, within a bawn 60m (200feet) square. Secondary buildings may have included a hall, stables, cottages and barns. The surrounding "Castlepark" townland covers 20.5ha.

The first floor is vaulted and has a fireplace. The second floor has arcades. The main room is at the third storey with a dated fireplace of 1604 with the initials W.H.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Irish Ecclesiastical Record. ISSER.. 5 December 1891. Browne and Nolan. Internet Archive.
  2. Web site: Sean Brady Aerial Photography.. www.facebook.com.
  3. Web site: Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin - Galway Archaeological Field School. www.archaeological.org.
  4. Web site: Castles of Connacht: Isert Kelly, Galway (C) Mike Searle. www.geograph.ie.
  5. Web site: Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland by the four masters, from the earliest period to the year 1616: Ed. from the autograph. manuscript with a transl. and copious notes by John O'Donovan. John. O'Donovan. 5 December 2017. Hodges and Smith. Google Books.
  6. Web site: Shotgun cartridges from Isert Kelly Castle! - Facebook. www.facebook.com.
  7. Book: Harbison, Peter. Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland: including a selection of other monuments not in state care. 1 August 1970. Gill & Macmillan. 9780717102754 . Google Books.