Kilmallock Castle (King John's Castle)

Kilmallock Castle, County Limerick
Photo © Mike Searle,13 June 2009

There is now a public passageway through an opening of the basement of this four storey tower called King John's Castle, that may at one time have been the north gate entrance to the town.

It dates probably from the 15th century, and was granted to Henry Billingsley in 1588, and to Thomas Browne in 1604.

In 1645 it was used as an arsenal by Lord Castlehaven's forces, a military hospital in 1651, and in the 19th century it contained a forge and given large new upper windows.

It continues as an imposing landmark in the town today.