AMOGANMORE CASTLE
Traditional Irish Name
Áth Mongain Mór – ford of Mongan.
Associated Families
Sarsell/Sarsfield.
Billingsley.
Hunt.
Location
| Barony | Connello Lower. |
| Civil Parish | Croagh. |
| Townland | Amogan More. |
| OS Map Ref | Sheet 29. |
Protected Structure Record
Reg. No: N/A.
Ref. No: N/A.
Description
Amoganmore was once the stronghold of the Sarsell/Sarsfield family.
A notable architectural feature in this 15th-century tower house is the straight stair to the first floor, and from there, the stair is spiral (see Image Gallery).
The rooms, including the ground floor, are arched.
Condition
The castle is largely ivy-free. Part of one wall is damaged, but overall it is in relatively good condition.
Access
The castle is on private land. Permission is required. But it can be easily viewed from the public road.
Historical Timeline
| 1583: | Amoganmore Castle and lands owned by Maurice McEdmund Sarsell/Sarsfield. |
| 1584: | Sarsfield is attainted for his part in the Desmond rebellion. |
| 1588: | Castles and lands granted to Henry Billingsley (alderman of London) as part of the Munster Plantation. |
| 1606: | Estate held by Richard Hunt. |
| 1611: | Part of Amoganmore Castle held by Emory Lee. |
| 1623: | Held by George Hunt. |
| 1655: | Castle and lands recorded as the late estate of Richard Hunt. |
| 1657: (circa) | Cromwellian government granted estate to Oliver Lambert and Brook Bridges. |
| 1668: | Estate confirmed to Oliver Lambert by Charles II. |
| 1690: | Legend has it that after his defeat at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, James II ‘is reported to have slept one night at [Amoganmore Castle] … but it is not certain that he came farther south than Waterford.’1 |
1 S. Lewis, A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland , vol. i (1837), 434.
Notes
All historical information is compiled from archival material; primary sources (such as State Papers); secondary sources; plus authoritative digital sources (such as CELT). Any direct quote or a further reading suggestion is footnoted.
For queries, suggested amendments, or other relevant information, or if you would like to contribute an archival image of Amoganmore Castle (of which you own the copyright), please leave a comment at the bottom of the page, or email (below).
limerickcastlesdatabase@gmail.com
Image Gallery
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