| Ballyneguard Castle |
| The name has become sort of a myth in my family and I had almost given up hope of tracking down the origins of the stories. However recent discoveries concerning the 'native place' of William Houlihan in Fedamore Limerick brought with them an unexpected bonus. My Grandmother often mentioned Ballyneguard Castle, which was somehow connected with a part of the family who may have been the High Sherrifs. Family opinions differed as to WHO exactly was connected to the Castle. My Father always insisted that it was the Hickson's, unlikely since they came from Lancasterhsire, but not unknown since there WERE Hickson's in Ireland. I felt more certain it was one of the Irish families, either the Houlihans or the Dowlings. While researching Fedamore, home of William Houlihan, I very quickly discovered that there were several 'Castles' located in the area including one at Ballyneguard, known as Rockstown. Several variations on the name also exist: Ballynaguard ; Ballynegard ; Ballynagard ; and Ballynagarde as well as Ballin variations. Fedamore, in Irish Feadamair, means the wood of Damir. It is a small viliage located near the Commogue River. Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Ireland (1842) says, in the entry for Fedamore: "The neighborgood is highly interesting and embellished with several gentlemen's seats, of which the principle are Ballyneguard, that of John Croker, Esq., a handsome mansion in a well-wooded and richly varied demesne of 700 plantation acres; Sandville, of J. Barry, Esq.; Grange, of H. O'Grady, Esq.; Friarstown, the ancient residence of the Hunt family; and the Glebe-house of the Rev. J. Bennett." The Croker family seem to have been in residence from the mid 1600's. In 1856 John Croker was appointed Foreman of the County Limerick Assizes. In 1870 John Monke Croker is recorded as owning 3328 acres at Ballinagarde Limerick. The name Ballyneguard seems to belong to a different holding than 'castle' and in fact the two were occupied by different landowners. The 'Castle ' which is in fact a tower-house was built for defense and sits on a rocky outcrop behind the ruins of the manor house. Both the castle and manor house are more correctly called Rockstown Castle and Rockstown House respectively. They are both now in ruins. Rockstown appears to have been owned by the Barry family. So, was there a connection between the Houlihans and the Crokers or the Barrys? It is possible William was a tennant farmers on one of the estates? Or was there a darker connection that forced the young newly married William to abandon his bride and travel alone to Australia in 1864? Perhaps further research will tell..... |
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