Castle (in Ruins)

In rough pasture, at Castle Point which is the W end of a narrow island close to the E shore of Lough Gara. An oval platform (21m x 18.5m; H c. 0.7m) blocks off the end of the Point. The platform is defined by a stony bank (int. H 1.5m; ext. H 1.2m) with an external fosse (Wth 3m; D 1m) on the inland side N-S. On the E side of the platform are the fragmentary remains of a rectangular stone-built structure (int. dims. 7.3m x 4.7m) which has been largely reduced to a sod-covered mound of rubble. Some external wall facing, which includes blocks of dressed limestone, is evident, however, on its S side. A drystone field boundary wall (T 1.25m; H 0.3m) extends from the S side of the rubble mound to the lakeshore, blocking off the W end of the island. This is a castle of the O'Garas. 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). In this instance the entry has been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Paul Walsh Date of upload/revision: 10 May 2007