 Sir Walter de Riddlesford built a motte and bailey on the site of Kilkea Castle in 1180.A granddaughter of his married Maurice Fitzgerald, 3rd baron of Offaly, and so the Manor of Kilkea came into the possession of the Fitzgeralds and was to remain in the family for over 700 years.Sir Thomas de Rokeby, the Justiciar of Ireland, used the castle as his military base, and died here in 1356.