Castlebawn

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, and is now restored and opened to the public.^[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.^{[citation needed]}

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[]

In 1996 Pat and Mary Cody completed the restoration of the ruin, which is now open to the public in the summer months, although access is via boat only.^[4]

References[]

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