Kilbline Castle Explained

Kilbline Castle is a fortified 16th century tower house in County Kilkenny in Ireland. It is set on the Kilbline Estate in the parish of Tullaherin, within the historical barony Gowran, approximately 1 mile southeast of Bennettsbridge. It is recorded as a protected (listed) structure by Kilkenny County Council.^[1]

The tower house was originally owned by the Comerford family. It was forfeit to the crown by Thomas Comerford in 1566 "on his attainder for rebellion".^[2] By the early 18th century, the castle was in the possession of the Candler family,^[2] ancestors of Coca-Cola founder Asa Griggs Candler.^[3] It was later occupied by members of the Ryan family "for several generations",^[2] before passing to the Lannon/Lennon family in 1969. It remains in private ownership.

Attached to the castle is a later two-story house, with a larger and more modern house in the grounds. It is roofed, with a low, two-storey, three-bay house with narrow windows and simple doorcase added. In the tower is a chimney-piece dated 1580 and a panelled room.^{[3] [4]} Beside the house are early brick walls with blank arches.

Timeline

• 1566 - Kilbline Castle forfeited by Thomas Comerford of Ballymac in 1566. [O’Kelly]
• 1651 - Peter Shortall, Kilblane [I Wills]
• 1662 - Peter Shortall, Kilblayn. [Oss Wills]
• 1668 - Walter Forstall, Kilbride [? Kilbline] [Oss Wills]
• 1684 - Mary Milbanke of Kilblein, Kilkenny, wid. & Walt. Milbanke her son [Cornwall R O]
• 12.10.1774 - Interest of Rev Henry Candler in lands of Kibline to be sold re debt due to Sir John Blunden. [FLJ Copy at Hunting]
• 19.10.1774 - Candler announcing he has paid debt and not for sale. [FLJ copied]
• 01.11.1797 - Died, on Saturday last, at Kilbline, Mrs Walsh, relict of the late Mr Edward Walsh of Tullow in this county, farmer. [FLJ]
• 1840 - Auction of farm equipment and furniture at Kilbline for Admins of late Patrick Purcell. [29.8.1840 Jnl]
• 04.05.1853 - Joseph Purcell, Kilbline. [KJnl]
• 1876 - Catherine Ryan, Kilbline. [Will]
• 1969 – present - Lannon family home. [O’Kelly]

References

52.575°N -7.15°W

Notes and References

1. Web site: Appendix I - Kilkenny County Record of Protected Structures . Kilkenny County Council . Kilkenny County Development Plan 2014‐2020 . 2014 . 27 November 2020 .
2. Book: Carrigan, William . The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Volume 3 . 1905 . Dublin . 485 .
3. Web site: An Irishman's Home is His Tower House (Kilbline Castle) . TheIrishAesthete.com . 3 June 2013 .
4. Book: Somerville-Large, Peter . The Irish Country House: A Social History . Sinclair-Stevenson . 1995 . 107 . 9781856192378 .