Cappagh Castle

Cappagh Castle lies in the townland of the same name, in County Limerick, in Ireland.

Cappagh Castle was built around 1460/1480 and was a seat of the Knights of Glin (a hereditary title held by the FitzGerald and FitzMaurice families). Although it is said that it was first built between 1199-1216, during the reign of King John of England.

It passed to Sir William Drury in 1578, when it was described as a tower house within a bawn, standing on an artificial mound, with 5 floors and 20 meters in height. Later it went to Ullick Browne and in 1587 to Gilbert Gerrard.

During the Irish Confederate Wars, the castle, which was held by Francis Morton, fell to Irish forces after a blockade, in 1642. Shortly afterward it was blown up, probably by order of the Parliamentarians under Sir Hardress Waller. It was described as 'ruined' a little more than a decade later. By then, its owners had already moved to a new Cappagh House, which had been built nearby in 1607.

Legend has it that a FitzGerald, of Ballyglehane Castle, gave the use of Cappagh to his brother; but, urged by his wife, reclaimed it. The brother then blew up the castle, the day before it was to be handed back.

In the mid-20th century, a section of the castle was used as a playing venue by the local handball club.

Cappagh Castle is private property and situated on the premises of a working farm. So it can only be visited with permission from the owner. A nice ruin, too bad that the interior is so overgrown.

Gallery