Why this matters
Built by the O'Flaherty clan in the 15th or 16th century, Rockfleet Castle and its associated bawn were important strongholds in west Connacht. The site is remembered for its strategic role in the defense and control of the region during the late medieval period.
Overview
Bawn in Rockfleet is recorded as Bawn in Mayo. At Rockfleet tower house (MA067-025001-). An enclosing wall, possibly the remnants of a bawn, was still standing in the early 1840’s when Rockfleet was visited by Mr and Mrs S.C.
Who built and held it
The saved account records: It stands upon the rock, and appears to have been protected by a strong surrounding wall, a small circular tower adjoining it being built in the remains of this wall.’ (Hall 1843, vol.
Attack, change and use
The saved account records: At Rockfleet tower house (MA067-025001-).
What survives
The saved account records: An enclosing wall, possibly the remnants of a bawn, was still standing in the early 1840’s when Rockfleet was visited by Mr and Mrs S.C.
Why it mattered
Bawn in Rockfleet matters because the source ties bawn to this exact landscape and preserves evidence that a bare map name loses. The saved account adds: In the published account of their travels around Ireland, they described Rockfleet as follows: ‘Carrig-a-Hooly…consists of a square keep of solid masonry, the surface being scarcely broken by a few windows of exceedingly small and narrow dimensions.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
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