Rheban Castle

Rheban Castle /ˈrɛbən/ is a castle located in County Kildare, Ireland.[1][2]

Rheban Castle
Native name Caisleán Réabáin
Location of Rheban Castle in Ireland
Location	Castlereban North, Athy, County Kildare, Ireland
Coordinates	53.030272°N 7.035214°W / 53.030272; -7.035214
Built	c. 1200

Location

Rheban Castle is located 5.4 kilometres (3.4 mi) northwest of Athy, on the west bank of the River Barrow. Hendy Wildlife Reserve lies to the north, and Kilberry to the east, across the Barrow.

History

Ptolemy's Geography (2nd century AD) names Rhaiba (‘Ραιβα) as one of the settlements of the Leinster region. This was traditionally taken to refer to Rheban, although modern writers see a site nearer Ireland's centre as more likely: the Hill of Uisneach, Rathcroghan or Carnfree.[3][4]

The remains of a much older ringfort, known as the Moat of Rheban, lie about 1 km to the south of the castle.[5] The name of the castle is thought to derive from ríogh ("king") and bábhún ("bawn", enclosure).[6]

After the Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century, a stone castle was built by Richard de St. Michael, baron of Reban, during the reign of John as Lord of Ireland.[7][8][9] He also founded Athy Priory.

In 1325 the castle and surrounding area were taken by the Ó Mórdha (Moores) of modern County Laois. In 1424 Rheban passed to Thomas FitzGerald (later 7th Earl of Kildare) when he married Dorothea, daughter of Anthony O'More.[10]

In the 15th century it was raided by Seán Ó Broin (of the Glenmalure O'Byrnes), who won treasure and fame celebrated in a poem by Ferganin McKeogh.[11]

The castle changed hands many times during the Irish Confederate Wars (1641–50), falling to James Butler, Marquess of Ormond in 1642, Owen Roe O'Neill in 1647 and Murrough O'Brien, 1st Earl of Inchiquin in 1648 and has been in ruins since then.[12]

It gives its name to the baronies of Narragh and Reban East and Narragh and Reban West, as well as the local Gaelic games club, Rheban GAA.

Description

A stone castle of three storeys, without roof. Near the castle is a conical mound, believed to have been a tumulus raised over some Irish king or chieftain.[13]

19th century graphite and black chalk sketch, attributed to James Bulwer.

See also

• List of castles in Ireland

References

1. "Holdings: Castle Rheban, being the subject of a paper read at..." sources.nli.ie.
2. "Context: Rheb Castle, Kildare [Castle Rheban, County Kildare]". catalogue.nli.ie.
3. http://www.romaneranames.uk/essays/ireland.pdf
4. "Anthologia Hibernica: Or, Monthly Collections of Science, Belles-lettres, and History ..." R. E. Mercier. 3 November 1793 – via Google Books.
5. Walter Fitzgerald, Castle Rheban, Journal of the Co. Kildare Archaeological Society and Surrounding Districts, Volume 2 (1896-99), pp 167-178, County Kildare Archaeological Society, Edward Ponsonby, Dublin (1899)
6. O'Clery, Michael; MacDermott, Philip (3 November 2018). "The Annals of Ireland". B. Geraghty – via Google Books.
7. https://www.discoverireland.ie/Arts-Culture-Heritage/castle-rheban/49015
8. Carlisle, Nicholas (3 November 2018). "A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland: Exhibiting the Names of the Several Cities, Towns, Parishes, and Villages ... Collected from the Most Authentic Documents, and Arranged in Alphabetical Order. Being a Continuation of the Topography of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland". W. Miller – via Google Books.
9. "Kilberry, Athy - The Schools' Collection". dúchas.ie.
10. "Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry". H. Colburn. 3 November 2018 – via Google Books.
11. Taaffe, Frank (6 October 1995). "Athy Eye On The Past: Rheban Castle".
12. "Castle Rheban, Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland". kildare.ie.
13. "Athy Archaeological & Historical Society". www.facebook.com.