Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated at the NW end of a 19th-century house and appears to have been considerably altered by the occupiers of the house. The remains of the castle are situated on top of a motte-like earthwork (OF026-005002-) with possible surrounding bawn wall which is visible at E angle. Only the W wall of this Tower house (OF026-005001-) remains with a later door inserted into the W gable. The Tower house survives three storeys high and is built with roughly coursed limestone boulders with slight base batter visible. 19th-century church located on site of medieval church (OF026-004001-) to SW of castle. Fireplace and chimney stack at SW angle with possible curtain tower at E angle of bawn. Attacked by the Irish confederate army in 1641 when it was occupied by Lettice, Lady Offaly (Fitzgerald 1918-22, 27-8). According to Leask (1918, 4) ground floor was vaulted. (Cooke 1875, 43: O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 53-6)

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 May 2011