What is recorded here

Ten feet of south wall still stand inside a rectangular bawn on the hill, though men have forgotten whether the room held a kitchen, a chapel or a bedroom. Donnell Mac Canna entailed the castle to his sons in 1587, yet Holcroft received the ruined shell in 1621 and Creagh held it broken in 1655, suggesting ownership changed faster than the stones could be rebuilt. The hill gave every occupant a clear view of the valley, but the valley also watched back, forcing each family to decide how much of its life it was willing to expose before darkness came.

Drombanny Castle in the parish of Donaghmore stands in centre of a rectangular-shaped enclosure or bawn (LI013-054-----) on top of a hill with good views in all directions. A second castle also called Drombanny Castle (LI013-056----) stands 825m to S, Donaghmore church (LI013-052001-) 1km to the N. Described in the Ordnance Survey Letters as 'Of the old Castle of Drumbanny which was situated on the top of the hill which gives name to the Townland and about three quarters of a mile southwest of the old Church there are scarcely any traces remaining with the exception of about ten feet [3m] in height of the south wall. The length or breadth could not be determined' (O'Flanagan 1929, 56). Westropp (1906-7, 89) recorded the following details about Drombanny; 'Two C[astle].s marked, one in Donaghmore and one in Caheravally [LI013-056---] to south. 1584 Donnell Mac Canna, the lands (Fi., 4615), and in 1587 the C[astle], which he entailed on his sons (Inq. Cha. Car. I., 90). 1621 H..Holcroft granted the ruined C[astle], late estate of Edm. McCany (Pat. R.). Yet in 1629 livery on Drombanny was granted to Edm. McCanny on death of Donough, his father. (lb.). 1655 Piers Creagh, f. Andrew, held the broken C[astle]. (C.S., xxix., p. 21, D.S.A., 7, 9). 1669 Granted to Duke of York (Act Sett.)'. This castle is depicted on the Down Survey map of South Liberties Barony as a tower house type castle standing in the parish of Donaghmore (Hib. Reg.). On this map the second castle of Drombanny (LI013-056----) is depicted as a house standing in the townland of Brownestone in the parish of Cahernarry. The terrier of the Down Survey map of Donaghmore parish stated that 'There is a ruined castle and an orchard on the Landes Drumbanny' (NLI, MS 718). On this map the castle stood on lands belonging to the alderman, Pierce Creagh who is listed as an 'Irish papist' (ibid.). See attached Down Survey map of South Liberties Barony map and the parish map of Donaghmore Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 3 July 2020

Drombanny Castle was likely built by the O'Brien dynasty in the 15th or 16th century and is remembered for its strategic position in the rugged landscape of west County Clare, reflecting the defensive needs of Gaelic Irish lords during the late medieval period.

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