M. Lenihan, “Limerick: Its History and Antiquities.” J. Ferrar, “History of Limerick.” J. Dowd, “Limerick and its Sieges.” FitzGerald and M’Gregor, “History of Limerick.” Proceedings of Kilkenny Archæological Society. Joyce, “Irish Place Names.” Parliamentary Gazetteer. State Papers. Carew MSS., with Book of Howth. State Documents. _LEA CASTLE_ This castle is situated on the banks of the Barrow in the north-east corner of the Barony of Pornahinch, in the Queen’s County. The name is sometimes spelt Ley or Leagh, and is said to signify “grey” or “grey land,” though a legend traces its origin to the name of a great chieftainess who lived, and was treacherously slain, on the plain of Lea. The fortress consisted of a three-storeyed rectangular building 60 feet by 46 feet, flanked by round towers and having walls varying in thickness from 8 to 10 feet. The west side of the structure has been blown up, but the remaining tower contains five rooms, one of them having thicker walls than the rest, _i.e._, 13 feet instead of 12. The centre of the castle was built on arches, and the projecting angles of the towers were connected by a curtain wall nearly 8 feet thick. The approach was by a causeway 100 feet in length. It was surrounded by a ditch 25 feet wide, which could be filled by water from the Barrow. From this it was called Port-na-hinch, or the “Castle of the Island,” from which the barony takes its name. Inside the moat was a low wall, which can still be traced. All the arches are round except one leading from the causeway to the bawn, which is pointed. Two drawbridges and two bastions defended the gate into the inner ballium, which measured 140 feet by 130 feet. The remains of the barbican can still be seen. The outer ballium includes the bawn, and the inner one contained a tennis court and tilt yard. Some authorities state the castle was erected by Baron Offaly, while again it is said to owe its origin in about 1260 to William de Vesey, who had married the Earl of Derby’s daughter, whose mother was heiress to William Mareschal, Lord Palatine of Lea. The daughter of O’More, Prince of Leix, is also said to have built Lea Castle on the Barrow in the marches of Inch, 1260. [Illustration: LEA CASTLE (INTERIOR).] It appears, however, to have been in existence in 1203, as there is an order to the Justiciary of Ireland to have the castle delivered, as well as other possessions, which had belonged to Gerald FitzMaurice, and in 1257 William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, received a grant of the wardship of Maurice, 2nd Baron of Offaly, and also his castles of Lea and Geashill. In 1264 a meeting was held at Castledermot to settle some dispute about land in Connaught, but at it Maurice, Baron of Offaly, and his nephew, John FitzThomas, seized Richard de Burgh, heir to the Earl of Ulster, the Lord Justice Richard de Capella, Theobald Butler, and John Cogan, and imprisoned them in Lea.