Springfield Castle

Springfield Castle is situated near Newcastlewest in the municipality of Springfield, located in what is now the country of Ireland. This site was originally settled in 1280 by the Norman Fitzgerald family, who established themselves in the area after marrying into the local Gaelic ruling Ó Colleáin clan. Through this alliance, they adopted the hereditary title Lords of Claonghlais.

During the 15th century, the Fitzgerald descendants constructed a stone keep at the site, further solidifying their presence. In the 17th century, the family became patrons of the Irish poet Dáibhí Ó Bruadair, who lived from 1625 to 1698, and he composed an elegy in their honor. However, the political landscape shifted dramatically after 1691, when their lands were confiscated under English authority. Consequently, the Fitzgerald family left Springfield and relocated to France.

Following their departure, William Fitzmaurice, who was a younger son of the 20th Lord Kerry, acquired the estate. His son, John Fitzmaurice, then added a significant Early Georgian mansion adjacent to a medieval keep thought to date from the 13th century. This large three-storey house marked a new phase in the site’s development. In 1780, Ann Fitzmaurice, the sole heiress of the estate, married Sir Robert Deane, the 1st Baron Muskerry, linking the castle to the Deane family.

In 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the Georgian mansion was devastated by fire. Following this event, Sir Robert Deane, the 5th Baron Muskerry, undertook rebuilding efforts, which included the restoration of the servants’ wing and renovations to other parts of the complex. Today, Springfield Castle remains a family residence on an estate of roughly 200 acres, owned and occupied by descendants, presently under Robert Deane, 9th Baron Muskerry.