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Overlooking the Shannon on a steep-sided rock are the overgrown fragments of Castle Connell. This de Burgh castle or its predecessor was destroyed in 1261 by Conor O'Brien, and presumably rebuilt. A descendant, John Burke, 2nd Baron of Castleconnell was murdered in London in 1592 by Capt. Arnold Cosby with whom he was to have fought a duel. In 1651 the castle was surrendered to Cromwellian forces and William, 6th Lord Castleconnell subsequently lost most of his estates. In 1691 the castle finally met its end when it was blown up after Capt. Barnwell surrendered the castle to a Williamite force. The 8th Lord Castleconnell was subsequently attainted as a Jacobite, and died fighting in France in 1697.

R6662 : Castles of Munster: Castle Connell, Limerick (2)