Borrishamon Castle, Borris, Co. Wexford

Co. Wexford |

Castle Features

Borrishamon Castle, Borris, Co. Wexford

Borrishamon Castle sits on level ground in County Wexford, with a stream running north to south about 160 metres to the northwest.

The site has a rich documented history; in 1583, the castle was leased to Sir Thomas Materson, and by the time of the Civil Survey in 1654-6, his descendant Edward Materson owned what was described as a 'small broken castle' along with 1,000 acres spanning the townlands of Borris, Kiltilly, Knocknalour, Ballynaberny and Ballycadden in Kilrush parish.

Today, what remains is a rectangular, grass-covered enclosure measuring 31 metres north to south and 26 metres east to west. The eastern side is defined by a scarp about 1.5 metres high, whilst the southern and western boundaries feature a slight moat approximately 8 metres wide. The northern side is the most substantial, retaining portions of a defensive wall and gatehouse.

The gatehouse, positioned near the northwest corner, preserves two walls of what was once a vaulted passage; 2.5 metres wide internally and 5.35 metres long, though the vault itself has largely collapsed. Evidence of the castle's defensive capabilities survives in the form of a single hinge stone from a drawbridge and an impressively long draw-bar socket, extending 4 metres on the eastern side of the gate. The northern wall continues beyond the gatehouse, and fragments of walling also survive on the eastern side of the enclosure, offering glimpses of the castle's original footprint.

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Pete F
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