Bawn in Ballindarra

Today a modern bungalow stands inside the area of the bawn of the levelled O’Carroll castle (OF035-021----), which stood on the eastern bank of the Little Brosna River, controlling the fording point and access into Ely O’Carroll (Éile). There are no surface remains visible of this castle. The walls of the castle collapsed in 1848 and the stone was probably taken away as building material for the houses of the surrounding region (Cooke 1875, 269-72). A short section of the upstanding wall, running parallel to the eastern bank of the river, may belong to the original bawn wall. In 1620 the commission for the plantation of King’s County granted Captain Francis Ackland, High Sheriff of the county ‘120a [acres] pasture and 100a bog and wood, in the town and lands of Crinkill, Clonkela [Clonkelly], Kilenfadda [part of Clonkelly/Crinkill], Clondagh and Clonlegagh; the castle and bawn of Ballindarragh cont[ainin]g. 30a [acres], extending from the Brosna river to the lands of Sessarabrack; rent for the pasture land £2 12s 1d. Engl.[ish], and for the bog and wood 4s 2d.- To hold in free and common soccage' (Griffith 1966, 467). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 March 2013

The Bawn in Ballindarra was associated with the O’Carroll family, who held significant power in the region during the medieval period. The castle controlled a key fording point on the Little Brosna River, providing strategic access into Ely O Coimme.