What is recorded here

Castle is a four-storey tower house hidden inside the Brooklodge Demesne farmyard, where its ancient walls now support ordinary roofs and living spaces. In 1574 Tirlagh Carragh McSwyne held Cahirnefieke castle, but later owners cut it down, removed its spiral staircase in 1815 and turned it into a residence beside a training stable. One round-headed window still faces east above the changed rooms, preserving a glimpse of the defensive building that once stood before it became part of the farm.

In existence in 1574 when 'Cahirnefieke' castle was in the possession of 'Tirlagh Carragh McSwyne' (Nolan 1901b, 119). Nolan (1901a, 40) equates it with 'the old castle in the … demesne of Brook Lodge'. This he describes as 'an altered castle … cut down in height and roofed as a residence in connection with a training stable'. He further notes that 'the spiral stone staircase was removed in 1815 and only one loophole is (perhaps) discernible through the plaster'. The tower house is incorporated into the W range of a series of outbuildings associated with the farmyard of Brooke Lodge house (GA058-035001-). It has been renovated and is four storeys high with a pitched slate roof and a chimney stack on its S gable. Access is gained through a doorway in E wall. One round-headed window is visible at 1st-floor level on E wall, the others are square headed (www.buildingsofireland.ie/niah/search.jsp?type=record&county=GA&regno=30405825, accessed 29 September 2015). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 29 September 2015

Tirlagh Carragh McSwyne held the castle-tower house in Brooklodge Demesne in 1574. It is remembered as an early example of a tower house in the region and is linked to local Gaelic lordship during the late 16th century.

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