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Rathurd Castle aka Rathuard (after the townland of the same name), was occupied in 1583 by the Brownes who forfeited the castle after the Desmond Rebellion, resulting in it passing to Nicholas Stritch by 1600.

A framed detailed history by two eminent historians hangs in the castle that records that the Burkes were next in line to hold it, only to lose it after the Cromwellian Plantation of 1655-56 when Nicholas Burke forfeited it to Captain John Frend. The Frends were to remain in possession for the next two hundred years.

A survey carried out in 1840 concluded that the castle was circular on the outside, but rectangular on the inside, and was originally one storey higher than the current three storeys. The castle was converted into a dwelling in 1839.

R5954 : Castles of Munster: Rathurd, Limerick (2)