Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

A 'castle' is marked in this general area on the Down Survey (1655-6) and, although not recorded on the 1st ed. (1838) of the OS 6-inch map, it is named 'Castle' on the latest ed. (1939) . It is recorded that, '(Lyons) Formerly contained a hamlet of the same name, which in 1612 was burned by Government troops … Its site, now included in Lord Cloncurry's demesne of Lyons, is marked by the ruins of a tower or "castle" … and by the ruins of the old parish church.' (KD015-004001-) (JKAS 1914, 279-80). The structure named 'Castle' on the current OS 6-inch map is an archwayed entrance with castellated tower, giving access to a 19th century (?) courtyard. The broad entrance-way (int. dims. L 4.2m E-W; Wth 3.1m) is built of thin, roughly coursed flags and is roofed with a flat-arched vault, supported by thick walls (T 1.3m) along the N and S sides. A small rectangular tower (ext. dims. L 2.3m E-W; Wth 2.1m) projects N from the N side of the entrance and contains a spiral stairs, lit by loops, which is accessed through a narrow (Wth 0.7m), round-arched doorway in its W wall. The stairs lead to a small, rectangular room (dims. L 3.3m N-S; Wth 2.2m) at first-floor level which is lit by a square-headed window in its W wall. Above first-floor level the walls of the tower step out to accommodate a wall-walk with gutter-holes. The structure is folly-like in appearance. (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 160)

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 10 June 2011