Dunhill Castle had a compelling and ample history. The la Poer’s (Power) of Dunhill were infamous in the 14th century, as they launched many attacks on Waterford City.

Dunhill Castle

In 1345 they destroyed the area around the city but were counter-attacked, taken prisoner and hanged. The remaining members of the Power clan join forces with the O’ Driscoll family. This alliance would attack Waterford many times over the next 100 years, with both success and failure. After a defeat in Tramore in 1368 the castle passed to the Powers of Kilmeaden. It remained in their control until the Cromwellian attack on Dunhill and its first capture in 1649.

Fate of last Lord of Dunhill and Kilmeaden, John Power, and his family were unknown. The castle and lands were then given to Sir John Cole with the Church given to Waterford Corporation. Cole and his descendants never lived in the castle and the church was disused, with the result that timbers rotted and both fell into ruins during the 1700’s. More deterioration was recorded in 1912 when the east wall of the castle collapsed during a storm.