Askeaton - The Desmond Castle

The Desmond Castle

(Taken from a lecture by Anita Guinane, (Askeaton Civic Trust)

The focal point of Askeaton is the Desmond Castle, which Stands in the center of the town on a rocky island on the river Deel. This noble building has been protecting Askeaton since 1199, when William de Burgo Founded it. In 1329 Maurice Fitzgerald became the first Earl of Desmond and held amongst his possessions the manor of “Liskifti”. 40 Shillings was paid by the Earl for the barony of Askeaton. It became the dwelling place of the kings of Munster. The Earls of Desmond were to become the last kings of Ireland

The fifteenth earl, Gerald had a powerful stronghold at Askeaton in 1559 and this was a worry to the crown of England who saw him as a threat. They tried to impose a policy of surrender on the Irish lords who rebelled and fought a savage war in Munster. Gerald became known as The Rebel Earl. He was popular among his followers. He was eventually betrayed by his foster brothers and killed by them in what was a horrible atrocity.

The Desmond rebellion lasted until sir Nicholas Malby attacked the castle in 1579. He was unable to take the Castle as its defenses were too strong. It was eventually occupied by lieutenant Patrick Purcell of the confederate Catholics, but as Askeaton was a major threat while it was under Catholic rule it was eventually destroyed by Captain Daniel Axtell under Cromwellian forces in 1652. Patrick Purcell was hanged by these forces.

The Earliest reference to the castle was in the “Leabhar nanCeart” (the book of rights compiled in the 15th century) where the fort of Gephtine is mentioned as being reserved to the King of Cashel.

It was in 1199 that we learn that the castle and its rights given to Hamo de Valoignes, who was the Justiciary of Ireland between 1197 to 1199.

In the Annals of Inisfallen, William de Burgo was granted the castle and estates by the king of Thomand, Donal Mor.

It passed through various hands until in 1348 the 1st Earl of Despond, Maurice Fitzgerald paid 40 shillings for the barony of Lystifti. The building that stands today dates from that time. It has had several additions to it with the seventh Earl Gerald Fitzgerald (14th century) being attributed with some of the works.

The Earls held possession of the Castle for over 200 years. Using it as the center of their kingdom, they ruled Munster until in October 1579 Sir Nicholas Malby ravaged the town and massacred the townsfolk and the monks of the Franciscan friary, but he failed to take the castle from Gerald the 14th Earl. The following year Justice Pelham took reinforcements and took possession on the 5th of April, and that signaled the end of the Fitzgerald's reign over Askeaton and Munster.

The castle was transferred to the ownership of the English crown under Edward Berkley.