Bawn in Carrigarreely

Carrigarreely Castle (LI014-033----) described in 1840 as follows; 'This castle is placed on a limestone rock, about 2 chains (40m) in diameter and 20 feet (6.1m) high. It retains the appearance of a strong building, and is about 60 feet (18.3m) high and 24 feet (7.3m) wide, being square' (OSNB Caherconlish Parish, 305). The Ordnance Survey Letters recorded that the 'walls are perfect. It measures nineteen feet eight inches by fourteen and a half feet in the clear and has five stories; the fourth floor is arched underneath. The height of the structure is about seventy feet and the thickness of the walls about six and a half feet' (OSL Caherconlish Parish, 117-8). The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that the Lord of Brittas was the owner of 'a Castle [LI014-033---), and a bawen' (Simington 1938, 64). The precise location of the bawn around the castle of Carrigarreely has not been identified. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 30 November 2020

Carrigarreely Castle was likely built by the O'Donnell family of Tyrconnell in the 15th or 16th century. It is remembered as a strategic defensive structure in a region marked by frequent conflict during the Gaelic and Anglo-Norman struggles in Ireland.