INDEX

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BESTFIELD or DUNGANSTOWN

Upon Ducanstown (Dunganstown) stands a castle. This castle was probably standing on an island in the River Barrow as indicated on the Down Survey of 1650. Built by the St. Leger family. Subsequently passed to the Butler family before passing on to Bests. It probably stood close to or on farm buildings. Over the years stones from the ruins have been carted away for building purposes to the Larchfield estate, but some traces of the walls are still clearly discernible on the east bank of the Barrow.

This photo taken c.2009 of an old disused bridge crosses the railway line near Bestfield. Source: www.flick.com

According the Griffiths Valuation of Ireland for Carlow in 1852 Henry Bruen was the main landowner in the area.

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The Earldom of Ulster also owned land in this area according to Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland" written in 1916.

The entry reads:

No. 12. — Balydogan in Co. Carlow. The name, I think, survives in Dunganstown or Bestfield, adjoining Oak Park demesne (which was probably included), near the town of Carlow.

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