Lissamota Castle

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

When exactly the castle was built is unknown, but it probably dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It was a Desmond castle until 1569 when, together with a lot of other castles in the area, it surrendered to the English. In 1588, it was a possession of the De Lacys who were then dispossessed, after which it was granted to the Billingsley family. The Billingsleys didn't enjoy it for long, because in 1599 it was recaptured by the De Lacys.

The name of the castle, an anglicized form of 'Lios a Móta', means 'fort of the moat'.  It is a rectangular tower house of, originally, 5 stories. It was originally surrounded by an earthen rampart. Nothing of that enclosure remains, as it was removed in the 18th or early 19th century.

At present, Lissamota Castle is situated on a private farmyard and can not be visited. Its owner however, very kindly allowed me to access it. He now uses the first floor as a home gym, while the rest of the tower is unused. A great tower.

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