Ballylehane
A castle stood at the place so named, some portions of which
are still in existence. The period when this stronghold was erected has not been
ascertained, but it must have been prior to the year 1346, as it is referred to
by Clyn at that date. This writer records a great slaughter of the O'Mores and
their followers to the number of 300, at Ballylehane, in the year 1315.
"A.D. 1315. Strages magna Hybernicorum scilicet de O'Morehys
et bominibus illorum, circiter 300 occiduntur juxta Bellilethan, in Epiphania
Domini." Again, two years later, Clyn states that there was a great defeat of
the Irish at Castledermot, by Edmund Butler, and another, of the soldiers of
O'More, by the same at Baclethan. (Ballylehane.) And in another entry in Clyn's
Annals, under date 1346, the castle of Ballylehan is expressly referred to, in
which it is stated that in the week succeeding Low Sunday, the castles of Ley,
Kumeade, and Ballylehane were taken and dismantled by O'More, O'Conor, and
O'Dempsy, on Thursday before the feast of the Holy Cross".
"A.D. 1346. In hebdomada post Dominicam in Albis, castra de Ley, Kilmehid, et Ballylethan,
capiuntur et franguntur per 0 Murthe, O'Konkur, et O'Dymisey, die Jovis in
crastino Sanctae Crucis." O'Donovan identifies Ballilethan, as "Ballylehane,
Queen's County." As Ballylehane was within the territory of the O'Mores, there
can be scarcely a doubt that the castle was built by them. A Branch of the
MacDonnells appears to have settled in this locality in the 16th century. On the
7th of May, 1578, an agreement was entered into between Sydney, the Lord Deputy,
and the three septs of the Clandonnells, the representative of one of which was
Maelmurry McEdmund of Rahin. 'Edmund McDonnell of Rahen,' is named in the Carew
Calendar",
"A.D. 1596, as one of the principal gentlemen of the Queen's County. A
Memorial presented by the Irish Council to Essex, in 1599, represents the MacDonnells as then in rebellion with the O'Mores; and about this time their
castles of Rahin and Derry were forfeited, and bestowed on Sir R. Greame (See
Vol. 2, p. 153.). An Inquisition, taken at Maryborough, 18th April, 1628, sets
forth that the late King James, by letters Patent, dated 4th May, 1613, had
granted to Sir Richard Greham, and his heirs and assigns intail, the town and
lands of Rahinderry, Banganagh, (Shanganagh) . . Killmaronny, Ballelihan alias
Ballelinan, Agharow alias Aghenure, Ballecornan, and a moiety of the townland of
Balleaghan, containing 4 castles, 20 messuages, and 717 acres; in the town and
land of Rahinduff, 6 messuages and 71 acres; in Cremorgan alias Clomorgan, 80
acres of arable and 10 of brushwood and moor; in Dowary and Moneduff 6 messuages
and 184 acres; in Rathaspick, Monynebooly, and Killeckly, 4 messuages and 100
acres, and the advowson of the church of Kilbride, to be held of the king, his
heirs and successors, in capite, by military service, etc. The said Richard
died, 17th Nov., 1626. Thomas Greham was his son and heir, and was then of the
age of 40, and married. Two ancient piers, on which armorial bearings are
carved, form the entrance to the plot on which stands the ruined castle of
Ballylehane".