Notes: RAPPA CASTLE, CO. MAYO & MOYVIEW, CO. SLIGO My interest in Irish country houses and castles stems from researching th e history of my family and their connection with two houses, Rappa Castl e in Mayo and Moyview in Sligo. Rappa Castle in the 1890's (Picture David Hicks) Rappa Castle lies in ruins today (Picture Copyright David Hicks) In “ A Guide to Irish Country Houseâ€, Rappa Castle located near Crossmoli na in Co. Mayo is described as an early or mid-eighteenth century hous e consisting of a three storey centre block of four bays with two storey , two bay wings. The centre block and the side wings also had high pitche d gable ended roofs, with tall chimneys in the gable ends. The castle wa s once home to the Crofton family with a castle being built on the site i n the fifteenth century by the Burke family but it eventually came in t o the ownership of a gentleman by the name of Francis Knox who was reside nt in the castle in 1798 and previously in 1786 the house was mentioned a s being ‘the pleasant seat of Mr. Knox’. Francis Knox was the third son o f Francis Knox of Moyne Abbey and Dorothy Annesley. Francis died in 181 3 having married and produced six sons and six daughters. He was succeede d by his eldest son Annesley Gore Knox who died in 1839. He had married H arriett in 1793 who was the sister of Sir Ross Mahon. Harriett and Annesl ey had eight sons and five daughters. The eldest surviving son inherite d Rappa, also named Annesley who was succeeded by his son Captain Annesle y Arthur Knox who was stationed in India with the army.