What is recorded here

Dubhrath, the Black Rath, was a four-storey tower built by Brian O'Rourke in 1582, jutting twenty metres into Lough Gill. Time and water stripped it to a single low wall, hiding the vaulted chambers and narrow passages that once defied the lake's reach. What remains is a dark ribbon of stone, half-swallowed by reeds, holding the shape of a house that refused to leave the water.

Situated on a small, heavily overgrown spit jutting out 20m into Lough Gill. Only a single wall (L 15m; Wth 0.5m; H 1m) oriented E-W survives of a castle known as Dooroy Caslte from Dubhrath - Black rath - commenced by Brian O'Rourke in 1582 (McDermott 2019, 113-4). Photographs taken in the early 20th century, prior to its collapse, shows an angle of a four-storey tower house with a vault over the ground floor and passages in the walls of two upper floors. (Foley and Donnelly 2012, 25-6) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In this instance the entry has been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Paul Walsh Date of upload: 6 December 2012 Amended: 3 January 2020

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.