Bricklieve Castle (in Ruins)

In rough pasture, on slightly raised level ground near the NW bank of a stream. The only visible remains of the castle are sod-covered foundations (Wth c. 2m; H c. 0.8m) defining two conjoined rectangular areas (at N end: 7.5m E-W; 9m N-S; at S end: 14m E-W; 6m N-S). A section of stone walling (L 2.6m; H 1m), constructed of small roughly cut blocks of mortared limestone, is exposed on the E side of the N area. The N end of this wall is splayed, indicating that this may be a doorway position. In 1512 this castle was described in the annals as a 'stronghold' of the O'Donnells (O'Dowd 1991, 21). By 1593 it was in the hands of Gilbert Green (O'Rorke [1889], vol. 2, 235), an Elizabethan soldier who took possession of land 'when it was lying waste' (O'Dowd 1991, 94). The 'Red' Earl's Road (SL033-147----) is c. 200m to the N. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008