What is recorded here

Bawn in Dalgan is the remains of a tower house and bawn at the north west end of a nineteenth-century house in County Offaly. Only the west wall survives, rising three storeys from rough limestone boulders above a motte-like earthwork, while a later door cuts through the west gable. In 1641 the Irish confederate army attacked the place while Lettice, Lady Offaly occupied it, and a vaulted ground floor may have stood beneath the altered walls. The bawn wall still hints at the eastern angle, preserving a house within a house, changed by every family that entered it.

Situated at the NW end of a 19th-century house and appears to have been considerably altered by the occupiers of the house. The remains of the castle are situated on top of a motte-like earthwork (OF026-005002-) with possible surrounding bawn wall which is visible at E angle. Only the W wall of this Tower house (OF026-005001-) remains with a later door inserted into the W gable. The Tower house survives three storeys high and is built with roughly coursed limestone boulders with slight base batter visible. 19th-century church located on site of medieval church (OF026-004001-) to SW of castle. Fireplace and chimney stack at SW angle with possible curtain tower at E angle of bawn. Attacked by the Irish confederate army in 1641 when it was occupied by Lettice, Lady Offaly (Fitzgerald 1918-22, 27-8). According to Leask (1918, 4) ground floor was vaulted. (Cooke 1875, 43: O' Flanagan 1933, vol. 1, 53-6) 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. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

Bawn in Dalgan was likely built in the 19th century as part of a country house estate, with its structure significantly modified by subsequent occupants. Its association with a motte-like earthwork suggests a possible medieval origin, indicating the site's long historical significance.

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