Earthwork

The National Monuments Service's description

In gently undulating rough pasture with reasonable views in all directions. According to Ua Cróinín and Breen (1997, vol. 6, no. 116), the tower house (CL035-055002-) is situated on a low limestone platform. It is in a reasonable condition, however it is degraded by cattle in places, where subsurface rock is absent and is in poor condition along the SE side. This rock on which stands Lissofin tower house (CL035-055002-) appears to have been modified by the addition of earthen material to create a sub-rectangular platform (c. 23.75m NE-SW; c. 28m NW-SE) defined by a distinct scarp (Wth c. 4.5m; H 1.45m) to the SW and N sides. The bawn is uneven in profile along the NE side, where the scarp (overall H 2.5m-2.75m; overall Wth 12-14m) is stepped. This is potentially where stone, derived from the collapsed NE wall, may have been spread out. The scarp is not readily visible along the SE side due to dense overgrowth, although it appears degraded. According to local information, the castle was struck by lightning a few hundred years ago and large blocks of masonry broke off. Some of these were apparently broken up and drawn away to construct field walls and outbuildings in the vicinity. Since then, at least three large blocks of masonry have fallen and are resting on the SW side of the bawn. The castle well (CL035-055003-) is c. 20m to the ESE.

The following image has been uploaded:
CL035-055001-_01.jpg From NE. General landscape/context view of castle earthwork showing the location of the surviving portion of the castle.

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen

Date of upload: 9 January 2018

References

Ua Cróinín, R. and Breen, M. 1997 The castles and tower-houses of Co. Clare, 6 vols. Unpublished report submitted to the National Monuments Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin.