Armorial plaque in Ballylehane Lower

Reference to a castle (LA025-028) here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1981, 251, 303). Built into the gate-pier of the field where the castle stood is an early 17th century Armorial panel of the O'Conors of Offaly (JKAS 1910 Vol. VI, 241-2). No visible surface remains. Described in 1910 as 'a limestone mural slab (23 inches high by 34 inches in length), formerly in Ballylehane Castle, in the Parish of Killabban and Queens County, an now built into a gate-pier of the field in which a fragment of the castle ruin now stands. On the slab the crest is shown as a dove-like bird; there are two lion or leopard like supporters (which are unusual, except in a peer's coat-of-arms); and below the shield, on a scroll, is the war cry of the Leinster O'Connors - Falvagh-Abo (I.e. Offaly to victory). This slab belongs to the early seventeenth century' (JKAS 1910, VI, 241-2). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 07 December 2011