Isert Kelly Castle

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

Isert Kelly Castle
Native name
Irish: Caisleán Íseart Uí Cheallaigh
Isserkelly Castle
Location of Isert Kelly Castle in Ireland
Typetower house
LocationCastlepark, Kilchreest,
County Galway, Ireland
Coordinates53.157982°N 8.718990°W / 53.157982; -8.718990
Height21 m (69 ft)
Built15th century
OwnerState
Official nameIsert Kelly Castle
Reference no.272

Location

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

History

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.

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

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

Description

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
  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 – via Google Books.
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