Lynch's Castle in what is now Summerhill was likely built in the late 1400's. It sat on the edge of the Pale, the area controlled by the English king. Lynch was a "Marcher" lord- one whose estate sat on the edge of the Pale- thus vulnerable to attack. This was an area of much conflict during the middle ages.
The Anglo-Norman Lynch family came to Ireland with or after Richard de Clare, known as Strongbow (around 1200) when he seized control of Dublin.
"Peter Lynch of the Knock" was inhabiting the castle in 1524 although it was probably built at least 40-50 years before this. At that time King Henry VI granted monies to every (noble) man within the Pale who wished to build a castle. Peter Lynch was a tenant of a greater feudal Lord, Wellesley, who ruled from Dangan Castle, just a few miles to the north of Knock.
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| Cross of Peter Lynch on the Summerhill Village Green http://www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/39761 |
His son, Gerald Lynch forfeited the Estate after the rebellion of 1641 when Cromwell's troops took the castle and 800 acres of Lynch's land. In 1642, the castle was besieged by the (Irish) Earl of Ormonde. When the castle fell, all of the male defenders of the castle were executed. Gerald escaped but was accused of treason. In the 1660's, after the restoration of the British Monarchy in England, he appealed to have his lands restored but failed. It is said the he lived out his days in a poor cottage not far from his old home.
In 1652, the castle and lands were given to Dr. Henry Jones, a protestant Bishop and scout for Cromwell's army. Jones sold the land to Sir Hercules Langford in 1666. The only Langford heir, Mary, married Sir John Rowley in 1671. The modern history of the site comes in 1732, with the building of Summerhill Demesne and Estate village following the marriage of the Hon. Hercules Langford Rowley.
This castle was occupied from the early 1600's until about 1850. It followed the plan of most tower house castles of the time.
There were actually two such castles at Knock- one was later converted to become part of the ice house for Summerhill.
Sources:
This castle was occupied from the early 1600's until about 1850. It followed the plan of most tower house castles of the time.
There were actually two such castles at Knock- one was later converted to become part of the ice house for Summerhill.
Sources: