Castle (in Ruins), Castle Farm — Report the wrong picture

What is recorded here

Castle Farm on Aughinish Island is a ruined bawn beside the River Shannon, now hidden inside the Aughinish Alumina complex. Excavated in 1974, it revealed a circular wall, cobbled entrance, domed oven, late pottery, iron objects and an Irish halfpenny from the late 17th century. The most striking discovery was thirty-one skeletons, mostly young children and babies, suggesting a killeen for unbaptised children. The castle may have been both a home and a place of mourning, where domestic life and loss shared the same ground.

On Aughinish Island overlooking the River Shannon; site now part of industrial complex (Aughinish Alumina) but excavated in 1974 prior to this industrial development (Lynch 1974). Excavations at Aughinish Castle (LI010-020----) revealed the base of a bawn wall (Wth 2.2m) enclosing a 'roughly circular' area (c. 80m N-S; c. 60m E-W), with well cobbled entrance on S side (Wth 3.5m). Whilst 'legal reasons prevented the investigation of the keep' (ibid.) considerable area-excavation was carried out within the bawn, revealing the base of 'a domed oven' (ibid.). Finds included sherds of late and post-medieval pottery, a wide range of iron objects, and an Irish halfpenny dating to the late 17th century. Also uncovered were the skeletons of 31 individuals, 'of which 'the majority were young children and babies' (ibid.). This latter suggests the presence of a burial ground for unbaptised children (killeen). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 May 2020

Aughinish Castle was built in the 15th century by the O'Donovan family, a prominent Gaelic-Irish clan in the region. It is remembered for its strategic position overlooking the River Shannon and for the archaeological insights gained from its 1974 excavation prior to industrial development.

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