Castle - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

In 1487 Aedh Roe O'Donnell demolished the castle of the sons of Rory Mac Dermot (KM 1478-86) at Baile na hUamha (AFM vol. 4, 1153), but it was re-built, perhaps at a different location (see RO010-033----) in 1492 by the sons of Aedh (KM 1458-65) (AFM vol. 4, 1199). It was plundered by the Earl of Kildare in 1512 and captured and destroyed by O'Donnell again in 1527 (AFM vol. 5, 1317, 1391). In 1562 the Sliocht Eoghan (KM 1533-4), in their struggle for power with their uncle Rory (KM 1549-68), brought gallowglasses into Moylurg and burned Baile na hUamha (ALC 2, 384). By this time the castle and lands were rented by descendants of Dermot Ruadh of Tir Tuathail, and the castle was confirmed to another descendent, Cathal Mac Fergainm, in 1617. By 1635 the lands had reverted to Brian Óg Mac Dermot (Chief 1603-36). (Mac Dermot 1996, 123-4, 142, 296, 456)
Situated on a low N-S promontory, jutting N and overlooking lower marshy ground to the W, N and E. It consists of the base of a rectangular tower (int. dims 11m N-S; 5.65m E-W) defined by the foundations of walls (Wth 2.5m; H 0.8m) situated about half way along the W side of a triangular (dims c. 70m N-S; 10m E-W at N; c. 30m E-W at S) bawn (RO010-010002-), which is defined by the natural scarps at E and W and the foundations of a wall (Wth 1m; L3m) and a grass-covered stone spread (Wth 5.3m; H 0.3m) at S (L 23m) which has the base of a circular corner tower (int. diam. 2m) defined by a masonry wall (Wth 1.6m; H 0.3m) at its W end. Ballynahoogh castle (RO010-033----) is c. 1km to the SSW, and standing stone (RO010-011----) is c. 140m to the E.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

ALC - The Annals of Lough Cé: a chronicle of Irish affairs, 1014-1690, ed. W.M. Hennessy (2 vols., London, 1871; reflex facsimile, Irish Manuscripts Commission, Dublin, 1939)

AFM - Annals of the kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the earliest period to the year 1616, ed. and trans. John O'Donovan (7 vols., Dublin, 1851; reprint New York, 1966)

Mac Dermot, D. 1996 Mac Dermot of Moylurg: the story of a Connacht family. Manorhamilton. Drumlin.