Loughmoe Castle

Loughmoe Castle (Irish: Caisláin Luach Magh, also spelt Loughmore Castle) is a ruined castle at Loughmore Village, near Templemore in County Tipperary, Ireland. The castle was the ancestral home of the Purcell family, the Barons of Loughmoe.

Location

The castle can be seen from the Dublin-Cork Railway line between Templemore and Thurles railway stations.

History

The oldest part of the castle was built in the thirteenth century, and consists of a four-storey tower-house. Additions were made by the Purcell family in the seventeenth century. The family lived in Loughmoe Castle until around 1760. The land in which it was built on was granted to Sir Hugh Purcell in 1204 as a dowry from Beatrix FitzWalter's father, Theobald FitzWalter. At the same time this was built, a mill was erected not far from the castle. The first Baron of Loughmoe was Sir Hugh Purcell, who was given the title by James Butler, first Earl of Ormonde and descendant of Theobald FitzWalter. The last Baron of Loughmoe, Nicholas Purcell of Loughmoe, died March 1722 and ended the Barony of Loughmoe.