Arthur Freke was in pocession of Rathbarry Castle in 1641. On 23rd October, 16141, a rebellion broke out in the north of Ireland an spread to Munster early in 1642. In the course of the rebellion Rathbarry Castle was besieged by the Irish Rebels in what became the longest siege in Irish History, which lasted from 14th February 1642 to 17th October 1642. The original account of the seige signed by Arthur Freke, 'Owner of the Castle & Commander-in-Chief' of the forces there, and countersigned by Edward Beecher, Captain of a Company sent from Bandon to aid the besieged, is stored in the British Museum.