 The castle grounds were church property of the Bishop of Cloyne, from whom it was held, according to the Pipe Roll of Cloyne, in 1291.According to Father Vaughan the Synans had an interest in the place before moving to the Doneraile area.Kilbolane Castle was built shortly after the arrival of Strongbow and the Anglo-Normans, likely as the stronghold of the De Cogans.