Norman Castles
Lackagh Castle
 Grange Castle
Kiltrogue Castle, beside the River Clare would also have been built at the end of the 14th century though it was built by John Blake FitzRicard. We know that it was owned by Tirlagh Carragh McSwine in 1574.
Grange Castle was built beside the river which once flowed through Grange, most likely towards the end of the beginning of the 16th century. It belonged to another DeBurgo by the name of Walter Bui. It is surrounded by a moat and the steps lead up to a seven feet high doorway. Kilskeagh Castle belonged to Murrough McSwine by the end of the 1500's. A man by the name of McSwine captained the Gallowglasses at the battle of Knockdoe in 1504. |
In the late sixteenth century seven new land marks appeared in the parish skyline. These were tower houses up to a hundred feet tall, thirty two feet long and twenty seven feet wide. Four of them-in Grange, Lackagh, Kiltrogue and Liscannanaun were built beside rivers which enabled them to have moats for protection. Three were built on high ground in Carnoneen, Derrymacloughna and Kilskeagh.
The walls were about six feet in thickness with the mortor made from bullock's blood. The windows were narrow slits and wider on the inside. The base of the castle was tapered. Both of these features gave the defender a decided advantage. The castles were built to enable the DeBurgos protect their newly acquired lands. Each could house a garrison of between twenty and a hundred soldiers.They were hives of activity with soldiers and servants ensuring that the Earl and his family could live, work and entertain their guests in the best way possible. Lackagh Castle was said to have been built by Ulick and Rickard Burke at the end of the 14th century.It was owned by Henry Fitzedmund about the year 1574. Liscannanaun Castle at the edge of the bog was owned by Tybott Burke. Part of it was still standing up to a few years ago. It is pictured below when standing.
Liscannanaun Castle
Carnoneen Castle was situated to the rear of the IT centre at Lackagh Museum but was demolished some years ago.
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Derrymacloughna Castle (above) was owned by the Burkes of Derrymacloughna. Its outer four walls stand to a height of sixty feet. It also had a house extension at one time.Derrymacloughna medieval church is situated close by.
The article by J.P Nolan was published in the JOURNAL OF THE GALWAY ARCHÆOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY JGAHS Vol. I (1900–1901), No. i,
Nolan, J. P.: The Castles of Clare Barony [The thirty-four De Burgo Castles in the Barony of Clare], 11-48.
The article by J.P Nolan was published in the JOURNAL OF THE GALWAY ARCHÆOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY JGAHS Vol. I (1900–1901), No. i,
Nolan, J. P.: The Castles of Clare Barony [The thirty-four De Burgo Castles in the Barony of Clare], 11-48.