Castle Matrix

Castle Matrix lies near the town of Rathkeale, in County Limerick, in Ireland.

Castle Matrix was built sometime during the 2nd quarter of the 15th century by Thomas FitzJames FitzGerald, the 7th Earl of Desmond, as a rectangular tower house on the higher south bank of the River Deel. The name 'Matrix' is probably a corruption of the name 'Matress'.

In 1487, James, the 9th Earl, was murdered in the castle by one of his servants. Supposedly because he was a very unpleasant figure, but the murder may have been instigated by James' brother John. No matter what, the servant was executed by James' other brother; Maurice. James' ghost is said to still haunt the castle.

By 1580, the castle was occupied Sir Walter Raleigh, who was visited by the poet Edmund Spenser. Later, it passed through the hands of the Billingsley family, before it was granted to the Southwell family in the early 17th century.

The Southwells converted the medieval tower into their manor house and attached a new wing to the north side. In 1641, during the Irish Confederate Wars, Castle Matrix was captured by Irish confederates. Cromwellian forces took it in 1651, using artillery which caused damage to the tower. Soon afterward, it was again granted to the Southwells.

In the 19th century, before 1840, Castle Matrix underwent alterations, amongst which the widening of all windows.

The Johnstone family acquired the castle in the early 20th century, but in the 1930s, to reduce taxes, they removed all roofs and windows and the castle was left abandoned. 1970, however, brought new life to Castle Matrix, when it was bought by an American, who completely renovated it. For a couple of decades it was inhabited and could be visited. Apparently somewhere around the start of the 21st century, however, it closed down.

At present, the once proud castle again stands, abandoned again, at the end of an unmarked and overgrown drive. A sad sight, but an atmospheric one.

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