Castle - Anglo-Norman masonry castle

The National Monuments Service's description

At the NW end of Lanesborough town (LF017-003----), at a strategic crossing point across the river Shannon where it flows into the NE end of Lough Ree. A ‘castle’ is recorded as being under construction in 1221 by Walter de Lacy (ALC., 263): whether of earth and timber or stone is not known. The castle was never completed because Cathal Croibdhearg Ó Conchobhair, King of Connacht, crossed the Shannon and forced him to abandon it (ALC; AFM; A. Clon. sub 1120; Bradley et al. 1985, 25). A castle, probably de Lacy’s, was finally built or completed in 1227 (Ann. Conn.; AFM) and its construction appears to have been the spur to the development of a ‘vill’ or settlement which had been granted a charter before 1235 (MacNiocaill 1977, 55). The castle was destroyed in 1271 (Ann. Conn., 159) and nothing further is recorded about it. Its precise location is uncertain but it is likely to have been constructed near the bridge where a 'Castle (Site of)' is marked on the 1911-12 edition of the OS 6-inch map, currently a grass field immediately behind St. Mary’s parish hall and adjacent to the town car park. As the castle is sometimes referenced in documentary sources under the name Ballyleague, it has led some commentators (see O'Conor and Parker 2010, 86) to suggest that it might have been located on the W side of the river, in county Roscommon, at the tower-house (RO037-004----): there are, however, no visible remains of such at this location. The site appears to have been the location for another fortification (LF017-003011-) erected in the late 16th or early 17th century.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 2 April 2012