It later passed to Richard of the de Bermingham family and then as a marriage settlement from his sister Anne to Christopher St Lawrence, 5th Baron Howth in 1508.

[8] During the 1640s rebellion, a Confederate force held the castle until June 1642, when the Irish Royal Army under a Colonel Trafford breached the walls using cannon.

The garrison then surrendered, and 200 men were put to death except for two priests, who were tortured on the rack and deported to France.

The castle was said to have stood to the North or North-west of the current church however all remains above ground have now been destroyed or removed.

The later church was built in the 15th century and was furnished with a 21 metre high fortified bell tower.