2. Ballysteen.
Ballysteen,[1] Baile Stiabhna, the Town of Stiabhna, lies approximately 28 km west of Limerick City, and 7 km north of Askeaton. The Dundons had a castle at Ballysteen. Nothing remains of this castle. Records for Dundon ownership of this castle begin in 1570. Thomas, and his uncle Thomas Óg, are described as gents and freeholders of Ballisteyn[2]. At an Inquisition held in Kilmallock, c1583, John Dondon was linked with Gerald, late Earl of Desmond and other traitors to the number of 1000 person for rebellion against the Queen, Elizabeth I[3]. John, like his relative, Richard Dundon of Howardstown, had allied himself with Gerald Fitzgerald, the Earl of Desmond in his rebellion. John, and his father, Andrew were pardoned the following year. In 1591 the castle was given to W. Carter, but the Dundons remained as tenants[4]. In 1641, Thomas Dundon had land at Ballysteen, (176 acres) Mitchelstown (110 acres) and Ballycanauna (130 acres) in Askeaton Parish[5]. They held Ballysteen until it was confiscated in 1655[6].
Edmond Dondon, County Limerick, an Irish Jacobite, is mentioned as a claimant under the Articles of Limerick and Galway, 29 August, 1699 [7].
The Dundon name seems to have died out in Ballysteen. There is no mention of them in the Tithe Applotment Books, in Griffith’s Valuation, or in the Censuses of 1901 or 1911.
[1] Ballysteen is to be found on Map 64 of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, 64 355 553.
[2] Liber Feodourum, 1235j-1236, Part 1, p. 430.
[3] Repertories and Inquisitions, NA, RC 9/12, pgs. 253, 271.
[4] Ancient Castles of the County of Limerick in Antiquities of Co. Limerick, 1898 - 1907.
[5] Elizabethan Ireland & the Settlement of Ulster, Carew Papers, Down Survey, No.15, Limerick; NL P3772.
[6] Books of Distribution, pg. 31, in Westropp Ms., above. And, Civil Survey 25, pg. 23 in “Ancient
Castles of Limerick”, from “Antiquities of Co. Limerick”, T. J. Westropp, 1898, henceforth: Antiquities.
[7] Irish Jacobites, J. G. Simms, in Analecta Hibernica 22, quoting TCD Ms. N.1.3, Folio 143 v.
Edmond Dondon, County Limerick, an Irish Jacobite, is mentioned as a claimant under the Articles of Limerick and Galway, 29 August, 1699 [7].
The Dundon name seems to have died out in Ballysteen. There is no mention of them in the Tithe Applotment Books, in Griffith’s Valuation, or in the Censuses of 1901 or 1911.
[1] Ballysteen is to be found on Map 64 of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland, 64 355 553.
[2] Liber Feodourum, 1235j-1236, Part 1, p. 430.
[3] Repertories and Inquisitions, NA, RC 9/12, pgs. 253, 271.
[4] Ancient Castles of the County of Limerick in Antiquities of Co. Limerick, 1898 - 1907.
[5] Elizabethan Ireland & the Settlement of Ulster, Carew Papers, Down Survey, No.15, Limerick; NL P3772.
[6] Books of Distribution, pg. 31, in Westropp Ms., above. And, Civil Survey 25, pg. 23 in “Ancient
Castles of Limerick”, from “Antiquities of Co. Limerick”, T. J. Westropp, 1898, henceforth: Antiquities.
[7] Irish Jacobites, J. G. Simms, in Analecta Hibernica 22, quoting TCD Ms. N.1.3, Folio 143 v.