Castlebawn is a 16th-century tower house, in County Clare, Ireland. It is on a small island on Lough Derg on the River Shannon, it is connected to the shore of Bealkelly by a man-made causeway.[1] It was built by the McNamaras about 1540, severely damaged in 1827, but is now restored although public access is not permitted to the castle. [2]

History

Castlebawn was built by Owen McNamara during an unknown year in the 16th century. The earliest recorded mention of Castlebawn is 1570, when Sean McNamara, Chief of eastern Clann-Cuilein, died, leaving Castlebawn to his son, Sir John McNamara.[2] The McNamaras lived there until the 17th century.

In 1820 it became a den for illicit poitín makers[1] and in 1827 the authorities besieged the towerhouse to drive the occupants out.[3] After the towerhouse was emptied the authorities attempted to demolish the building with explosives. Only the south wall and roof were destroyed. The remaining walls although damaged remained intact.[3] The castle was so well built that three of the walls remained intact. [4]

Simon Flannery occupied the castle early in the 20th century, and locally the castle is still referred to as Simon's Castle.[2][3]

In 1929 the construction of the Ardnacrusha power plant caused the water level in Lough Derg to rise significantly shrinking the island on which the towerhouse stands.[3]

Restoration

It was restored from ruin by Pat and Mary Cody [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Larkin, Patrick (2012), "The Castles Of Lough Derg: An Illustrated Survey", Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society, 64: 21–55, JSTOR 24612853
  2. 1 2 3 "Castlebawn". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Simon's Castle (Simon Flannery)". Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Castlebawn". Discover Killaloe. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2008.

52°53′56.18″N 8°28′46.76″W / 52.8989389°N 8.4796556°W / 52.8989389; -8.4796556

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