Ferns, Wexford (Gir., v., 326).—A castle was built by Walter the German near Ferns. Ferns is spoken of as a city in the time of King Dermot. There is no motte at Ferns; the stone castle has a keep, which is certainly not earlier than the time of Henry III. [B. T. S.]
*Fotheret Onolan, castle of Raymond le Gros (Gir., v., 355).—Mr Orpen identifies this with Castlemore, near Tullow, Co. Carlow. There is an oval motte, and a rectangular bailey with indications of masonry.[1076]
Galtrim, Meath.—Identified by Mr Orpen with the castle of Hugh de Hose, or Hussey, mentioned in the “Song of Dermot.” Destroyed in 1176; no stone castle. An oval motte; bailey indistinctly traceable. [B. T. S.]
Geashill, King’s Co. (Cal., i., 30).—Mentioned in 1203 as a castle of William, Earl Marshall. There are remains of a motte, on which stands a 14th-century keep; but the whole site has been so pulled about in making a modern house, drive, and gardens, that nothing more can be made of the plan. The motte, however, is plain, though mutilated. [E. S. A.]
Granard, Longford (Cal., i., 95).—Built by Richard Tuit in 1199.[1077] A magnificent motte, with a very wide ditch, and a small fan-shaped bailey. Foundations of a shell wall round the top of the motte, and of a small round tower in the centre. [B. T. S.]
*Hincheleder, or Inchelefyre (Cal., i, 95).—Said by Butler (Notices of Trim Castle, 12) to be Inchleffer, Meath, a castle of Hugh de Lacy. No further information.
John de Clahull’s Castle.—Mr Orpen believes this to be Killeshin, Queen’s Co., as it corresponds to the description in the Song, “entre Eboy et Lethelyn.” There is a motte there, and traditions of a town.
*Karakitel, or Carrickittle, Limerick (Cal., i., 14).—Castle of William de Naas in 1199. There was a remarkable natural motte of rock here, with the foundations of a castle upon it, now destroyed.[1078]
*Killamlun (Cal., i., 53).—Identified by Mr Orpen with Killallon, Meath, where there is a large motte. There is a stone passage into this motte, but no evidence has been brought forward to prove that it is of the same nature as the prehistoric souterrains so common in Ireland.[1079] In England there is a remarkable instance at Oxford of a well-chamber built inside a motte.
Killare, Westmeath (Gir., v., 356).—A castle of Hugh de Lacy, built in 1184;[1080] burnt in 1187. A good motte, with ditch and well-preserved bank on counterscarp; no bailey. No stone castle. [B. T. S.]