What is recorded here

Edmund O'Fallon built a castle and two stone corn mills at the east end of the Athlone bridge between 1570 and 1572, yet the exact spot has vanished from modern memory. The Crown later leased the property to Edward Fitz Gerald, proving the structure existed even though no marker remains. Perhaps the castle still hides beneath a street or riverbank, waiting for someone to notice the shape of the land rather than search for a name.

Unlocated castle in the east town of Athlone that was buily by Edmund O'Fallone [Fallon] between 1570-72. The castle was probably located close to the two stone corn mills (WM029-042079-; WM029-042080-) constructed by Edmund O'Fallon in 1570-2 which were built at the E end of the bridge (WM029-042004-) up against the S side of the arches. In 1570 the Crown granted a lease to Edmund O’Fallon, a merchant of Athlone which included the condition that he was within two years of this date ‘to erect a substantial corn mill of stone, roofed with tile or slate, upon the weir (WM029-042081-) of the river Shynnen at such place as the lord president shall think fit so that it be not prejudicial to the river of Athlone and the new bridge (WM029-042004-) there’ (Nicholls 1994, 218-19). In 1578 a lease was granted to Edmund O’Fallon of ‘two water mills (WM029-042079-; WM029-042080-) upon the bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athelone, and a castle on the east side of the bridge with a parcel of land adjoining, in co. Westmeath. To hold for 21 years. Rent, 12d. In consideration of his having himself built the mills and castle (WM029-042061-), which mills grind only for a quarter of the year, and his undertaking to grind toll free the corn required in her majestie’s house (WM029-042002-) of Athlone'(Nicholls 1994, 474). In 1597 the Crown granted to Edward Fitz Gerald of Rathsillagh a 31 year lease of lands which included ‘a mill upon the water of Clonkille, co. Roscommon, in the province of Connaght, parcel of the late abbey of Athlone, two other mills upon the bridge (WM029-042004-) of Athlone and a castle (WM029-042061-) at the east part of the bridge, and a small piece of land adjoining the said castle in co. Westmeath, parcel of the queen’s ancient inheritance’ (Nicholls 994, 301). The precise location of this castle has not been identified (Murtagh 1994, 10). Compiled by: Rachel Barrett and Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 01 November 2013

Edmund O'Fallone (Fallon) built the unclassified castle in Athlone between 1570 and 1572; its location is likely near two stone corn mills he also constructed. The castle is remembered as a local example of late 16th-century Gaelic Irish landholding and fortification during a period of political and military upheaval in the region.

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