De COGAN FAMILY, CARRIGALINE CASTLE AND
THE NORMAN CONQUEST of IRELAND.
CARRIGALINE CASTLE – One of the oldest castles in Ireland built by the Norman family of de Cogan that came to Ireland during the Norman invasion.. Built around 1180s, and it is situated on a rock from which the town ‘Carraig Ui Leighne’ takes its name.
 |
| The Norman Influence on the development of the town was significant. A number of Castles and fortified Houses from that era remain. Most important is the ruin of Carrigaline Castle situated at the Rock, 1.5km east of the present Town Centre |
|
The castle was built by the Norman family of de Cogan that came to Ireland during the Norman Invasion, the founder Milo de Cogan being one of King Henry 11’s top Knights along with Robert Fitzstephen. The castle was probably started by Milo around 1180 but not completed until the 1190’s.
The Charter of Henry II from the Council of Oxford in May 1177
THE CHARTER OF OXFORD.
"HENRY, BY THE GRACE OF GOD, KING OF ENGLAND, AND DUKE OF NORMANDY AND AQUATAIN EARL OF ANJOU.
To all Archbishops, Abbots, Earls, Barons, Justices, and all Ministers, and faithful Subjects, French, English and Irish, greetings.
“Know ye, that I have granted, and by this my charter, confirmed to Robert FitzSlephen and Milo deCogan, the government of the City of Cork, with the cantred which belonged to the Ostmen of the said City, which I retain in my own hands, to have and to hold them together, during my pleasure, and as long as they serve me faithfully. I, moreover, by this charter, give, grant, and confirm to them and their heirs, all the Kingdom of Cork, except the said City, and the afore mentioned cantred, which I retain in my own hands, to hold to them and their heirs, of me and my son John, and our heirs, by exact division, towards the Cape of Saint Brandon, on the sea coast, and towards Limerick and other parts, and as far as the water near Lismore, which runs between Lismore and Cork, and falls into the sea; by the service of sixty knights, to be performed there, to me and my son John, and our heirs, and the service of thirty knights to be performed by the said Robert, and his heirs and the service of thirty knights, by the said Milo and his heirs.
Wherefore, I will, and strictly command, that the said Robert and Milo, shall have and hold the said government of the said city and cantred, in manner as it is before mentioned, and that they and their heirs, shall have and hold all the kingdom aforesaid, except the said city and cantred, which I retain in my own hands, for me and my son John, and our heirs, by an exact division, as described above, well and peaceably, freely and quietly, entirely, fully, and honourably, in wood and in plain, in meadow and pasture, in waters and mills, in warrens, ponds and fishing, in ways and paths, and in all other places and things belonging there, with all their liberties and free customs, so that from the aforesaid river that runs between Lismore and Cork, the whole land as far as Waterford, together with the city of Lismore, shall remain in my hands, for the government of Waterford."
Witnesses present: John, Bishop of Norwich; Adam, Bishop of St. Asaph, and Augustine Bishop of Waterford; Richard deLacey; William Fitz-Adelm; my Sewer; Hugh deLacey; Hugh deBurid; Roger Fitz-Ramsey; Maurice dePendergast; Robert Dene; Robert Fitz-Eliodore; leffrey Poer; and Harvey deMonte Marisco. At Oxford."
 |
|
Carrigaline Castle
in ruins -Built on The Rock, Carrigaline East -sketched
in 1880
|
|
The name Carrigaline is a deviation of the Irish Carraig-Ui-Leighin, which actually means the Rock of the O’Lynes although some scholars maintain that the name derived from Carraigaloon which means the Rock of the Pool. The original village was situated near the Castle but in the early part of the seventeenth century after the fall of the castle the village was moved to it’s present site at the top of tidal Owenabwee Estuary where a bridge spanned the river and a network of roads spread to the south.
Ballea Castle is situated two Kms. west of the town was built about the end of the 16th century by the McCarthys and then it was passed on to the Hodders who held it until c1900. It is one of the oldest residential castles in Ireland. Famous for its white horse.
After the fall of Carrigaline Castle the area around the rock lost it’s importance although a vibrant society continued to live in the area, and a church also remained there, the Church of Ireland church built in 1723 replacing an earlier church. The religious wars of the seventeenth century followed by the Cromwellian campaign had it’s toll on all churches.
View of the Old Head of Kinsale
|
|
