Castle (in ruins)

On the summit of an E-W running ridge in gently undulating pastureland, formerly part of Castleboy demesne. This castle appears to have been of 13th century date. It was still occupied in 1574 when it was in the possession of 'Redmud Mc Hubert roe' (Nolan 1901, 112). When initially visited in October 1982, it consisted of a two-storey ivy-mantled rectangular building (L 12.8m, Wth 5.8m) in fair condition. Aligned E-W, it had been constructed partly on the crest and E slope of the ridge. Apart from a prominent base-batter to the walls, the other principal architectural features were two doorways in the N wall on the ground floor and four long narrow archery slits, three in the S wall and one in the E wall. There was a rectangular projection towards the W end of the S wall which did not appear to be bonded into it. This extended to the full height of the building and had an arched opening at ground level. It probably contained a latrine on the 1st floor. The W wall of the castle appeared to form part of an earlier rectangular or square structure which lay to the W, where substantial fragments of masonry stood. This may possibly have been an earlier keep or, perhaps more likely, a curtain wall. The castle was subsequently demolished in December 1982. (O'Flanagan 1927, Vol. 2, 44) Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 31 August 2018

Built in the 13th century, Castleboy was occupied as late as 1574 and was part of the Castleboy demesne; its strategic position on a prominent ridge highlights its historical significance in the region's medieval landscape.