What is recorded here

Ardlahan Castle vanished between the two lakes of Dromore and Bleach Lough, leaving behind only a big house and ten small cottages recorded in 1654. Men like Garrett MacGibbon, Walter Coppinger and Sheehy Purcell held or surrendered the place across centuries, yet the exact stones disappeared before anyone could draw them. The water kept the castle while the land forgot it, turning a local fortress into a ghost that still moves beneath the lough.

The exact location of a castle in 'Ederrireloghan' that is mentioned in 16th and 17th century documents has been lost (Westropp 1906-07, 161). Ardlahan Castle described by Westropp (1906-7, 161) as following; '1583 Garrett MacGibbon held Ederrireloghan in Kyldima (Des. R., 34). Ederreloghan C[astle], held by T. mac Ruddery, Knight of Glan (Peyton, 227b). 1619 Walter Coppinger surrendered the C[astle]. of Eleur Ieolaghan (Pat. R.). 1657 Ardloghan or Ardlaghan, Sheehy Purcell (C.S., xxvi., p. 8). The place lies at the head of " Bleach Lough," and probably covered Kilmacat "between the two lakes" of Dromore and Bleach Lough - as the older name implies'. The 1654-56 Civil Survey of Limerick recorded that Shily Purcell alias Sheehy the relict of Piers Purcell of Crogh held in Ardlahan 'one bigg house, & ten smale Cottages' (Simington 1938, 346). Compiled by: Denis Power Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 08 January 2020

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