Bawn in Dunegan

Dunegan Castle (WM030-075----) ruins stands on the NE end of a long, steep-sided, narrow-topped ridge (106m/349ft OD) running roughly E-W, with extensive views to N, E and W. Depicted on the 1654-7 Down Survey map of Ballyloughloe parish map and described in the terrier of the map as, ‘there stands in Dunegan the ruines of a large castle and a large Bawne’ (NLI, MS 723-4). Annotated ‘Dunegan Old Castle’ on the 1837 OS Fair Plan map and depicted as a long rectangular-shaped ruin (long-axis E-W). No surface remains visible of large bawn belonging to Dunegan Castle that is described in the terrier of the Down Survey parish map. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 08 November 2019

Dunegan Castle was likely built in the 17th century, as indicated by its appearance on the 1654-57 Down Survey map. It is remembered as a strategic defensive site, positioned to control movement across a prominent ridge in the landscape.