Isert Kelly Castle

Isert Kelly Castle
Native name
Caisleán Íseart Uí Cheallaigh (Irish)
Isserkelly Castle
Typetower house
LocationCastlepark, Kilchreest,
County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53°09′29″N 8°43′08″W / 53.157982°N 8.718990°W / 53.157982; -8.718990
Height21 m (69 ft)
Built15th century
OwnerState
Official nameIsert Kelly Castle
Reference no.272
Isert Kelly Castle is located in Ireland
Isert Kelly Castle
Location of Isert Kelly Castle in Ireland

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

Location

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Isert Kelly Castle is 5 km (3.1 mi) southwest of Kilchreest.[2]

History

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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.[citation needed]

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

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

Description

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The tower house is well-preserved and stands 21 m (69 ft) tall, within a bawn 60 m (200 ft) square. Secondary buildings may have included a hall, stables, cottages and barns. The surrounding "Castlepark" townland covers 20.5 ha (51 acres).

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]

References

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  1. ^ The Irish Ecclesiastical Record. Browne and Nolan. 5 December 1891 – via Internet Archive. ISSER.
  2. ^ "Sean Brady Aerial Photography". www.facebook.com.
  3. ^ "Archaeological Fieldwork Opportunities Bulletin - Galway Archaeological Field School". www.archaeological.org.
  4. ^ "Castles of Connacht: Isert Kelly, Galway (C) Mike Searle". www.geograph.ie.
  5. ^ O'Donovan, John (5 December 2017). "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". Hodges and Smith – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "Shotgun cartridges from Isert Kelly Castle! - Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  7. ^ Harbison, Peter (1 August 1970). Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland: including a selection of other monuments not in state care. Gill & Macmillan. ISBN 9780717102754 – via Google Books.
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