What is recorded here

Castle, tower house in Abbeycartron stood as the castle and gaol of Longford from 1571, holding prisoners and commanding the area until Hugh Roe O’Donnell captured and destroyed it in 1595. No visible trace remains, but a circular tower beside a 17th-century fortified house named Old Castle may mark the site or contain reused stone from the lost castle.

From 1571 there are references to the constable of the castle and gaol (LF013-026009-) of Longford (Nicholls 1994, vol. 2, 247). This was probably the castle that was captured and destroyed by Hugh Roe O’Donnell in 1595 (Cal. S.P. Ire. 1592-96, 315). No visible surface trace of it survives and its precise location has not been identified. However, the circular tower associated with the 17th-century fortified house (LF013-062----), named ‘Old Castle’ on the 1914 edition of the OS 25-inch map, may mark its site or it may have been incorporated into the fabric of the house. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 13 June 2012

The tower house at Abbeycartron was likely held by the English administration in the late 16th century and served as a local stronghold and prison. It is remembered for its capture and destruction by the Gaelic chieftain Hugh Roe O’Donnell in 1595 during the Nine Years' War.

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