ASKEATON CASTLE
Traditional Irish Name
Es Geiphtíne – the cataract (or small waterfall) of Geiphtin.
Associated Families
De Valognes.
FitzGerald/Earls of Desmond.
Berkeley.
Location
| Barony | Connello Lower. |
| Civil Parish | Askeaton. |
| Townland | Aghalacka. |
| OS Map Ref | Sheet 11. |
Protected Structure Record
Reg. No: Medieval Townships.
Ref. No: MT05.
Description
One of Ireland’s oldest Norman strongholds, Askeaton Castle dates from 1199. It was later a stronghold of successive earls of Desmond until 1583.
The oldest remaining part of the castle in the inner ward is the thirteenth-century Constable’s Tower, standing on an elevation with commanding views over the river and town.1
Askeaton is described by one source as ‘An excellent instance of a motte-and-bailey castle, where the motte is of natural rock’.2
The castle is surrounded by a wall and encompassed by the river Deel. The entrance would have been via a drawbridge.
The six-storey keep is about 90 feet high. The ‘Banqueting Hall’ lies to the south-west of the castle.3
Condition
The castle is under the auspices of the OPW and in a good state of repair.
Access
Askeaton Castle is open to the public. Guided tours are run by the OPW.
Historical Timeline
| 1199: | Hamo de Valognes, justiciar of Ireland (1196-99), is granted this land by King John and erects the castle of Es Geiphtíne/Askeaton on a small island in the river Deel. |
| 1203: | The castle is held by another Norman nobleman, William de Burgh. |
| 1215: | Hamo Fitz Hamo de Valognes inherits his father’s lands, including Askeaton. |
| 1318: | Askeaton held by Richard de Clare until his death. |
| 1321: | Held by Maurice de Rocheford; later jointly held with Maurice FitzThomas. |
| 1330: (circa) | Stronghold of Maurice FitzThomas/first earl of Desmond (1329). |
| 1345: | Earl of Desmond proclaimed a ‘rebel’; the castle is taken by Ralph Ufford, justiciar of Ireland. |
| 1348: | Earl of Desmond pardoned and Askeaton restored to him. |
| 1579: | Castle attacked by crown forces during second Desmond rebellion (1579-83). |
| 1580: | Castle taken by the English. Desmond’s forces unsuccessfully attempt to blow up the castle before withdrawing. |
| 1583: | End of the Desmond rebellion. Askeaton Castle and lands seized by Elizabeth I. |
| 1590: | Granted to English ‘undertaker’ Francis Berkeley as part of the Munster Plantation. |
| 1598-99: | Irish forces under James FitzThomas FitzGerald, the Súgán earl of Desmond, lay siege to the castle. Berkeley holds out for months until finally relieved. |
| 1642: | Garrisoned by Lord Broghill during Confederate War, but taken by Irish Confederate forces under Lt. Gen. Patrick Purcell. |
| 1652: | Dismantled by Cromwellian forces under Captain Axtell. |
| 1691: | Garrisoned by Williamite forces. |
1 Information from the OPW site: https://heritageireland.ie/visit/places-to-visit/askeaton-castle/highlights/
2 E.S. Armitage, The early Norman castles of the British Isles (1912), 332.
3 See Ordnance Survey Letters, Askeaton parish, 456-58.
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.
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