Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Constructed by Sir Thomas Ridgeway between 1606 and 1613. It was taken by the Confederate forces under Preston in 1642 and taken by the Cromwellian forces afterwards and it was destroyed. Situated in undulating countryside. The present castle was constructed by the Dunnes in 1680 and was never inhabited (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 233-234). Remains of the North gable (L. c. 5.3m) of a three storey tower house constructed of roughly coursed pink shaley stone with dressed limestone quoins and remains of short returns on the E and W sides. Two gun loops visible on the ground and first floor and large window on the second floor. North West of the tower house is a round arch. Running off the centre of the W and E walls are the remains of an 18th or 19th century demesne or garden wall, however on the W face are the partial remains of the original bawn wall (L 4.3m) off which the later courtyard wall is attached. This is the only fragmentary remains of the original bawn wall that survives. In 1642 the bawn was described as 'seated among woods in a place soe watered with springs as afforded the Earle convenience to make many fish ponds neare the Castle hee built there; which hee liekwise fortified with a strong wall, and that with turrets and flankers' (Feehan 1983, 377).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 17 December 2007