Castle Firbis

Situated on a slight rise overlooking the E shore of Killala Bay. The OS Letters (1836, 292 (119)) and O'Rorke (1890, 418-9) recorded that this castle was constructed in 1560 by the MacFirbis'. Wood-Martin (1882, 106) concurs with the latter date but asserts that it was constructed by the O'Dowds 'and in consequence of the events of 1641 was fortified by them, and granted to the family of Wood'. Present remains comprise a mound (10.5m E-W; c. 6m N-S; max. H 1.4m) of rubble and stone blocks, bisected by a modern E-W field boundary wall. The basal portion of the walls at S (H 0.6m) and at E (L 6m; H 1.1m; T 0.8m) are still visible. A low bank (7m E-W; Wth 2.8m; H 0.4m) may mark the line of the N wall. A break in centre of the S wall (Wth. 0.88m) may mark the location of the original entrance. Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan Date of upload: 19 January 2011

Castle Firbis, Lackan was built in 1560 by the MacFirbis family, a Gaelic Irish clan associated with the region. It is remembered as an example of 16th-century Gaelic stronghold architecture in the western seaboard of Ireland.