Knockmaun Castle

Knockmaun Castle, sometimes also spelled as Knockmaon, lies in the countryside west of the town of Dungarvan, in County Waterford in Ireland.

Knockmaun Castle is situated on a limestone hillock next to a bridge over the River Brickey. It probably was inhabited since Viking times because a Viking coin hoard was found on the rock's summit in the early 20th century.

The castle was first mentioned in 1440 as a FitzGerald tower house. It was forfeited after their rebellion and granted to Sir Christopher Hatton. His tenant Alyson Dalton valiantly held the castle against repeated FitzGerald attacks in the 1590s. Later the castle passed to Sir Richard Osbourne. In 1650 it was apparently destroyed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell on their way to Dungarvan.

Knockmaun Castle lies on private farmland. I could not visit it because there were bulls grazing on the site but the owner I spoke with said it could be visited in summer. Small remains but on a nice location.

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