and so the Manor of Kilkea came into the possession of the Fitzgeralds and was to remain in the family for over 700 years.

Sir Thomas de Rokeby, the Justiciar of Ireland 1349-56, used the castle as his military base, and died here in 1356.

In 1414 the O'Mores and O'Dempsies wasted the English pale. According to Francis Grose's