Bawn in Clare

Clare Castle also known as Mullaghcloe situated on NE edge of a steep sided hillock, in pasture, with extensive views in all directions. Poorly preserved castle ruins (WM024-078----) standing on NE angle of bawn (approx. dims. 27m N-S x 33m E-W) which is defined by the grass-covered remains of a collapsed wall. The bawn is divided internally by a slight bank with the footings of a stone wall running E-W in the N quadrant. Castle described in 2004 as a 'tower measuring 12.4m by 8m over walls 1.8m thick partly projects out from the east side of a hill-top bawn 40m by 50m marked by a stoney bank' (Salter 2004, 147). See attached plan and profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 13 August 2019

Clare Castle, also known as Mullaghcloe, was built in the 13th century by the Fitzgerald family, powerful Norman lords in Munster. It is remembered for its strategic position and as a symbol of Norman influence in the region, though its ruins now reflect centuries of decline and neglect.